Hold It Baby :: On-the-Go Toy Organizer

When I first found this next product my initial thought was where was this product when my first baby was a toddler? It probably would have saved my sanity a little bit and is one of those, "why didn't I think of that?" products. The Hold It Baby On-the-Go Toy Organizer is a must have that will keep all of your child's things tethered to a stroller, car seat, high chair, shopping cart, backpack carrier, etc. I remember the days when my daughter went through that stage where everything "accidentally" flung to the ground followed by an innocent "uh-oh" and a big smile as mommy picked up that toy from the ground or floor for the 20th time in a row. I can also remember toys that had gone missing after walks with the stroller that if I'd had this product would have stayed tethered to the stroller and would had not falling out. There is many different scenarios I can tie this to including car rides, trips to the market and what not. No more pick up games or lost items, and no more toys hitting the dirty ground. Your baby can fish their toy back in with a tug of the Hold It Baby.

Not only will this hold a sippy cup but it will hold things like small books, a crayon box, small toys, action figures, stuffed animals, loveys, a drink bottle, snacks. The larger sized silicone band will hold items a little larger. This will even hold your smartphone securely! Easily tossed in the diaper bag for on the go use.

To purchase the Hold It Baby to keep your child's favorite items within reach you can find them here. You can also like them on Facebook and follow them on Twitter.

Safety note:

Secure the connector to an immovable object that is at least five (5) inches below the child’s chin. The Hold It Baby is not a toy and should never be used by a child without an attending adult. Do not use this product in a crib, playpen, or port-a-crib. Do not use this product if your child is unrestrained. This product conforms to all government safety requirements (mechanical testing, toxicity, and flammability). This product is to be assembled by an adult. This product is intended for ages 18 months and up in the USA, and 3 years and up in Europe, Canada and Australia.

Thank you Hold It Baby for providing product for review.

Modern Twist : bringing art to the table

Modern-twist is a San Francisco/Oakland based company, founded and created by Kat Nouri who grew up in a community that was passionate about nutrition, spirituality and organic farming. She was raised by a father who was a world-class athlete and produce importer and a spiritual mother with a PHD in Nutrition. Following these values Kat created a company that thrives on the great multi-cultural and diverse community.

Modern-twist offers placemats and other kitchen and dining accessories. As a mom of 3 Kat believed that what you eat is as important as what you eat on. Using minimalist aesthetic and food-grade, hand-silkscreened silicone the placemats are free of bpa, lead, latex, phthalates and other harsh chemicals and are recyclable.

I was in search of a placemat that was eco and non toxic, modern plus high quality which is nearly impossible if you think about it. You either get eco placemats that are just blah and unattractive or you get lucky and find a decent print but it reeks of chemicals. But most of what I find is just poor quality and I find myself repeatedly replacing my placemats, or better yet I put them on my table just for looks because they can't handle the wear and tear of being used and washed. This is where Modern-twist placemats come in, they are simple, clean, and eco-chic. With beautiful designs and patterns they are also practical with optimal functionality with an easy to clean, germ free heat proof surface. I have washed and wiped these down several times already, my daughter likes to use them for every meal, and these are definitely not going to wear down or ruin anytime in the near or far future. They have also been picked and toiled and folded in the hands of a 6 year old and I have had to scrub off nail polish thanks to a particular little girl and they still look as good as new and I'm confident these will last awhile while giving my kitchen table a new elegant look.


For a sustainable planet without compromising style and class you can purchase these top quality placemats and dining accessories at Modern-twist. Be sure to find them on facebook and twitter as well.

thank you modern-twist for providing products for review.

Hugg-A-Planet : combining play and education + GIVEAWAY

I'm always keeping my eye out for toys that are not just fun but but provide and educational experience, especially the kind where learning is happening without your child even realizing it. From toddlers through early elementary schoolers most of the learning that happens comes from play and hands on. This is where Hugg-A-Planet comes in. Hugg-A-Planet offers a line of soft eco American made toys (globes, stars and state map) that encourage learning through play.

The classic Hugg-A-Planet Earth is a 12" real stuffed globe with over 600 labeled places. Printed in attention grabbing vibrant and non toxic colors it is sure to catch your little ones eye. This globe will promote and encourage hands on learning, environmental awareness and geographic literacy. Pick a location, toss it and have them find it and toss it back. My 6 year old likes to pick an animal and find which country it is from. Her newest craze is penguins! She was also astonished to find our state on the map and see that it was so little, "wow, we are tiny". Compared to a majority of the other states we are. The globe helps her to see that there is a big world out there; we are working on better understanding the differences between cities, states and countries because I think right now, it is all just one to her so this globe invites her to see the big picture.

Not just for small kids, Hugg-A-Planet products are great for use in the classroom, middle and high schools, dorms and great just keep on a desk for a quick reference. They even have a little globe rattle that would make a unique and great baby shower or baby gift.

Hug it, toss it, have fun with it. The globe is available in English, Spanish and French and a tag is including in each globe with important facts about our Planet Earth and the Universe.

You can order your Hugg-A-Planet toys here from Peace Toys and you can also enter to win your own classic Hugg-A-Planet globe below!

http://giveawaytools.com/giveaway.php?sk=697327550" rel="nofollow" target="_BLANK2">Entry

product was provided for review purposes. all opinions are 100% my own. .

GIVEAWAY Tummy Talk Pregnancy Book:: all-in-one album, scrapbook, keepsake journal

The Tummy Talk Pregnancy Book is a complete all-in-one album, scrapbook, and keepsake journal you can use from the moment you get the good news until your baby’s first homecoming. When I was pregnant with my daughter the only pregnancy journal I had was this calender type one that didn't leave me a ton of space and then I never really filled it out often because with the lack of space and it's vagueness it didn't appeal to me. Well I'm really kicking myself now because I wish I had had a special journal and captured this magical time to look back on and share with my daughter. Not wanting to make the same mistake twice of not keeping a journal I browsed all the pregnancy journals available and Tummy Talk was one that kept screaming at me with it's elegant yet classic design and all-in-one format. I'm not huge on scrapbooking because I'm so not crafty and too lazy for that but this book is perfect with a touch of everything and not too much scrapbooking that would make me too overwhelmed but enough to add a personal touch.

Tummy Talk was started by Angela Horiuchi-Yvkoff and Karen Vardeny, two women who came up short on finding the perfect pregnancy journal so they created their own that had it all. The Tummy Talk pregnancy book "provides moms-to-be and new families with a specially designed journal to chronicle all their feelings and intimate thoughts throughout the pregnancy and birthing process, while also providing space to keep special memorabilia and photos". Instead a record keeping fill in the blank type book this one is more personal and intimate, a journal, scrapbook and album all wrapped up in one.

This book is a beautiful keepsake to record all your memories, photo's and a way to capture "every kick and craving". This book has 105 unique pages and the pages are heavy weight so they do not tear and are great for pasting memorabilia, inserting photos and chronicling thoughts. In the back of the book is 3 pieces of coordinating blank letterhead for the first letters to your baby for placement inside the cover pocket. In addition, 3 pages of really beautiful scrapbook cut-outs are included for baby’s first love notes that can be pasted on album pages. This book also has durable spiral binding which I love because it is flexible and you can lay it flat and not lose the backing.

The book size is 10 1/2" x 10 1/2" and page size is 9" x 10".The cover material of Tummy Talk is really soft and kind of feels like suede. Tummy Talk comes in 5 stylish colors (This Little Pinky, Binky Blue, Nap Thyme, Peaches and Cream & Silver Gray) and for an added touch of elegance a hand-placed Swarovski crystal on the cover of each book. Inside the book has 5 sections including pregnancy stories, prenatal visits, weekly journaling, baby shower and birth details. Each section has a pocket at the beginning for memorandums or whatever you like. Printed and made in the U.S.A. and is winner of the respected iParenting 2007 Greatest Product Media Award.

Tummy Talk also makes some really cute announcements and thank you cards.

Visit Tummy Talk here. Makes a special shower gift or gift to yourself. View here for where to buy.
 

One super lucky reader at EcoModern Mom has a chance to win a Tummy Talk Pregnancy Journal in green (retails for $75)!

http://giveawaytools.com/giveaway.php?sk=472660411" rel="nofollow" target="_BLANK2">Entry

B.toys

EcoModern Mom was contacted by B.toys to see if we would be interested in reviewing a couple of products and after digging into their website and reviewing their company I learned that their toys are completely safe, BPA free, lead and phthalate free and had recyclable packaging so I decided they would be a good fit for EcoModern Mom.

B. toys Mission:

"We create toys that inspire individuality. Our process is part joy. Part love. Part mischief. Part serendipity. And at the end of the day, our goal is to be bigger than a toy company. We want to be a voice to children that says it’s okay to be curious, to be pensive, to be loud, to be happy and sad all at the same time, to be generous, to be afraid, to be quiet, to be wild, to be fun, to be open, to be scientific, to be poetic, to be giddy, to be serious, to be smart, to be free, to be you. Just B. Just You. B. You."

B.toys are inspired by the world around us, by children's faces, our own childhoods, travels, or anything that is or used to be a simple pleasure. Just buy browsing B.toys products you can see that their toys are all beautiful colors and eye catching. Being a family that owns a majority of wooden toys the first toy that we choose to review was the A-Maze Rain Rush.

"You'll be singing, marching, shaking, and dancing in the rain."



The A-Maze Rain Rush is a really pretty hand stained wooden cylinder filled with 42 colorful wooden marbles. By rolling the A-Maze Rain Rush, or turning upside down it makes the sound of rain. Who doesn't love that? I noticed too as my daughter rolled it across the wood floors that it also very closely resembles the sound thunder and rain. After about 50 rolls into the closet doors and another 100 shakes and turns, I asked her nicely to set it aside for a little while and with it's gorgeous design is sits nicely on the coffee table and turns into a piece of art. Ages 18 months to 3 years but many children above the age of 3 will enjoy this as well as my 4 1/2 year old did.

The other toy that we received was the B. Pop Arty Beads. These were a huge hit and have multiple uses. B.s Pop Arty Beads contain 500 snap together jewelry pieces including 12 rings and 6 bracelets. Please beware that when we opened the container for the first time out came a bad, strong smell but after dumping all the pieces onto the table we have not smelled any "fumes" since. What is great about this bead set is that they "pop" together and apart, whatever you make can be undone and reused into something else later. The colors are really pretty and vibrant and there are many different shapes inside the container, I particularly liked the ones that looked like raspberries and flowers. Make necklaces, bracelets, rings, etc. We even made some bead strands that we can hang into the window in place of a curtain, or a cute doorway divider. This might require a second container of Pop Arty Beads though, depending on how long and spaced you make them. This is a wonderful product to work on those fine motor skills, creative play, color sorting and we also used them to do small hands on math problems. I love multi taskers. This product is for ages 4-10 but I must admit at almost 30 years old I played with these with these for a steady hour! Her 10 year friend enjoyed them along side the rest of us. My daughter also carted this product with her to dad's house and spent a lot of time there playing with them again with dad and grandma. Comes with a sturdy container for storage.


Each of these products, the A-Maze Rush and Pop Arty Beads are both durable high quality products and my daughter thoroughly enjoyed each of them. Typically, in my experience, you can't find good quality, SAFE, unique toys at your local store but B.toys are widely available and you can purchase them at Target. Super! Also available at my favorite online place, Amazon, or click here for where to buy. For every toy purchased B.toys gives 10¢ to Free The Children. I love companies that give. Be sure to connect with B. toys on Twitter and Facebook as well. You can link directly to their site here.

Special thanks to B.toys for providing samples.

Zhena's Gypsy Tea :: you can taste the difference

I am not a coffee drinker, even if I liked the taste of coffee I can't drink it without feeling jittery and anxious, but I LOVE tea. I began drinking tea just on occasion because I liked it but the more I have been experimenting with different brands and kinds the more I am starting to love it. I can tell you now not to judge tea on the regular teas you buy at your basic grocery store, it is definitely not the same as buying premium organic teas elsewhere. Who wants to buy bland boring teas anyway when you can go to Zhena's Gypsy Tea and purchase all natural teas with a wide delightful range of flavors to choose from? Zhena's Gypsy Tea produces hand-crafted, premium quality, 100% organic and 100% fair trade teas that will please all your senses.

Offering only the healthiest and freshest teas, herbs and botanicals available, Gypsy Tea is a pro-active company who "work directly with small growers and out of the way tea gardens to effect change by providing these workers with healthcare, guaranteed maternity leave, childcare, literacy, better working conditions, and autonomy." Seems their teas are hand processed by tea artisans they are able to offer the finest grades of "unique and special" harvests.

Not only are these teas flavorful and all natural but teas actually have healing properties and are good for your body and mind. You can discover the many therapeutic benefits of Zena's Gypsy Tea by checking out this cool Aromatherapy Tea Chart below. For a better view, visit their site directly for full size.

I received some of Zhena's Gypsy Tea tins containing single-serving sachets made from round, natural, hemp paper, and really enjoyed them. Plus the pretty and fully recyclable canisters are enough to want to go and buy some new teas. :) Buy refills and place them into your tins, very eco. Green teas are my favorite and one of the green teas I tried was Egyptian Mint. I choose this one because I love everything mint, including the smell. I love mint infused water, mint gum and I even have mint chapstick. So you can see why I choose the Egyptian Mint tea. This tea did not let me down, before I had even added the hot water I had my nose stuck inside the tin inhaling the scent, over & over. This tea contains caffeine (not all of their teas contain caffeine though, if you prefer decaf) but way less than a typical cup of coffee and the caffeine in these teas do not make me shaky and anxious like a cup of coffee would. This is a "relax and focus" tea and also promotes healthy digestion. Typically, with a lot of teas I add a hint of honey because it needs that extra but with this mint tea I did not add hints of anything to it and was perfect without it. Very flavorful. I had a lovely morning, reading my favorite book in a quiet setting while sipping my favorite flavored tea and inhaling the aroma all at the same time. Coincidence, maybe, but I was very calm and focused (no re-reading of pages here) while wrapped up in the taste and aroma of my tea and fantastic book. You can also steep and pour over ice, I can't wait to try it that way, I will more than likely try that tonight or first thing tomorrow.

At Zhena's Gypsy Tea you can purchase tea sachets, luxe leaves, loose leaf, seasonal sips and also tea accessories. I have a few other teas in mind from Zhena's Gypsy Tea that I can't wait to try so I am definitely going back for more. Be sure to visit Zhena's Gypsy Tea and find them on Facebook and Twitter.
Thank you Gypsy Tea for providing samples.

DIY :: Travel Tin Dollhouses

I really love this idea I found at HomeSpun Threads. Mini dollhouses made out of Altoid Tins! Hello cute! The little bed and kitchen was made using scrapbook paper and ribbon (to cover the tin) and fabric scraps to cover the mattress and for a cute lil' blanket and pillow. The sink, stove and fridge for the kitchen are small boxes with the appliances sketched onto them and the table is a soda cap. Brilliant. Use this design or be creative and make it your own. I am super excited to make something like this for my daughter, I know she will love it. For compelte details visit here.

pEi Pod - modern pet house

Hi, I am back. Life has calmed down a teensy bit so I will try pick my posts up again. Here is a product that caught my my eye awhile back, the pEi Pod.

The pEi Pod a stylish pet bed and home that will compliment your living space rather than disrupt it while at the same will create a safe and comfortable home for your pet. The pEi Pod first caught my attention with it clean and sleek look, and your small pets with love it for it's rounded design that gives it a "cavelike" feel. I just love it, modern and practical.


The pEiPod is made from high density polyethylene , the exact same highly-durable, safe, and recyclable material used to make baby products. As cute as it is though, pEi Pod recommends that you do not put a child in there. Your pEi is completely customizable, choose your size, pod color, and fabric color. I personally like the beige pod paired with the yellow cushion. This would make a fantastic photo prop for pet portraits.


The small pEi is for dogs up to 10 lbs and for cats up to 12 lbs, the medium pEi is for dogs up to 16 lbs and for cats up to 18 lbs. The pEi Pillow is 100% washable and both pod and pillow are fully recyclable. Find pEi Pod at there site here, and on facebook for news and updates.

Belly Flopz :: beach raft for pregnant mommies

Pregnant moms, you no longer have to sit on the sidelines watching everyone else float on their tummies at the pool or beach.  Think it is not possible with your bulging belly, well it is now, the Belly Flopz inflatable raft will let you enjoy floating on your tummy in complete comfort. Belly Flopz is covered in nylon fabric for extra comfort and has an opening that will fit your pregnant belly. There are handles on each side for any needed assistance and makes for easy carrying.


Take some pressure and weight off your body and use this raft in the pool or at the beach. Also, for some nighttime belly sleeping, toss this right on top of your bed! Makes a great baby shower gift too! Purchase one for yourself or a friend by visiting Belly Flopz.

Thanks to Belly Flopz for providing a sample.

Opa Cove :: Sea Squirts Life Jacket

I'd began searching for a life jacket for my 4 year old recently and I was looking for something to please both myself and my daughter. I wanted something safe while I wanted to get something fun that my daughter would get excited about wearing, instead of having wear a life jacket be like a chore. Of course all characted life jackets are out, just not my thing, but when I found Opa Cove's Sea Squirts life jackets I knew it'd work out for the both of us. It had the safety factor me and was fun enough for my daughter without being too cutesy.

"900 children drown each year in the United Sates. It’s the second-leading cause of unintentional death among children ages 1 to 14." This is why having a life jacket on (and also one that fits properly) is SO important.

Opa Cove's Sea Squirts life jacket are designed to look like different types of fish and mammals in the sea including the Clownfish, Great White Shark, Pink Dolphin, Blue Dolphin, and Killa Whale and the Angelfish. These life jackets come in three different sizes for optimal safety instead those one size fits all types everyone used to have (so the strap between the child's legs don't have to be too tight). They are made with durable neoprene with tech fabric liner making it comfortable against the skin. Sea Squirts qualify as a ski vest or wake-boarding vest and is Coast Guard certified. Also, heavy duty plastic zipper and buckles for durability.

Each vest has a sturdy, flexible fin on the back. Not only does this make it fun for your child to pretend to be a dolphin in the water but it serves a good purpose. These are strong enough and designed to be able to be grabbed by one hand (while the other holds the neck of the life jacket) to grab your child out of the water. At first glance when I first stumbled onto Sea Squirts I thought the fin would be an annoying feature on back but it's actually really flexible and will lie flat against the back for sitting in a chair or on a boat.

My daughter choose the Pink Dolphin life jacket of course, she has this crazed obsession with EVERYTHING pink. She loved wearing it at the beach and wore it for 90% of the stay because she didn't want to take it off.

Visit Opa Cove to purchase your own Sea Squirts life jacket for your child here. It could save a life! Great for fishing, boating, wake-boarding, swimming or any of your summer activites. You may also visit Opa Cove on Facebook and Twitter for news and updates.

Special thanks to Opa Cove for providing a sample.