peaceloveluxe.com

Doll,
I’ve missed you too.   What is a girl to do when the goin’ get CraZy?  So, I will be a peace maven next week and get you all the scoop you’ve been waiting for.  Love ya, mean it.

At least there have been some Apple Cider Bellinis  involved to keep everything on keel.  (my sigi drink for fall xH)

xo H

…because phone books are soooooo out…and high chairs are just plain baby-ish.

Big kids unite!

Get your momma to get ya a Kaboost. These are fabulous contraptions that fit under your chair so that your dinette set remains intact and your kid can eat their food…that is without their mouths being table height…they get the Kaboost they need.

They’ll even be read for a game of poker perhaps.

Super stylish, the chartreuse green, fits in fabulous with our kitchen colors of bright orange, plum and white.

xo Heather

I love my kids art, period.

The scribble scrabble.  Their expression with color.  The ‘went-of-the-paper-mommy’ art work we are left with to enjoy on our new white kitchen table when each project is over.

And what is a fridge without the cluttered collage, of quite conceivably, every piece they have done, and I am proud of.

So, when we got word Clementine Art was launching the first entire line of non-toxic & eco friendly art supplies we  got our hands on some!

Tyler’s favorites are the ‘rocket ship’ soy crayons…and now I don’t fret when lil’ Buddy eats the markers when I’m not looking.

Best thing is, we can easily stock up at Whole Foods when our first round of supplies get low, or lost for that matter.

Check out the full line here…and the scoop on what makes Clementine Art so fab!

because they were so damn good…and I haven’t had ‘cheese balls’ since I was a kid…and if memory serves me correctly they were, like, day-glo orange, probably genetically modified my tongue or were radio active, or something…

So when I got my hands on Snikiddy cheese puffs…I did start to pack them for my lil’ boys lunch…but ate the whole bag.  Yikes again.

These Grilled Cheese puffs were the ones I scarfed down.  The lowdown on how good they are – and good for you – and your kids too, if you share…

• All Natural
• Made with real cheese
• Low in saturated fat and cholesterol
• 30% less fat than other leading brands
• 20% fewer calories than other leading brands
• Gluten Free and Wheat Free
• No Trans Fats, No Hydrogenated Oils, No Preservatives

So, my promise to my boys, I will go get more!  They have coupons right here….

We can go get all the flavors.  xo Mom.

What a freak’in riot.  Seriously, a coco-loco riot.
Sweatriot is all natural, anti-oxidant-rich, dairy-free, kosher, gluten-free cacao with a mission.

Chocolate treats on a mission that is…

“To create a more just and celebrated multicultural world for our next generation.”

Here is how the Sweetriot team makes a difference…

and how you can by eating chocolate – a win/win if you ask me.

Our Product. Our People. Our Partnerships.

First of all, we consider what products we are creating. Are they good for the world….are they healthy…are they natural and fairly traded? Is the sourcing ethical? We worked very hard to find a partner in South America with a strong track record of social responsibility and a commitment to fair trade. Plus, we searched for a product – cacao – which comes from the most healthy & magical fruit in the world. It is a slow not fast food and we’re proud of that.

Our Product. Our People. Our Partnerships.

As a founder of a company, I am committed to building a workplace, which is empowered, team-oriented, positive, and service oriented. On the inside of our company, we need to be responsible in order to serve our partners and rioters effectively. I work hard to create fair HR practices such as a health care stipend even though we are a tiny company. I also work with my team on work-life balance issues and making sweetriot a wonderful place to work. Once again, we are not perfect, but we try our best.

Our Product. Our People. Our Partnerships.

Lastly, of course, we love to support non-profits who have similar values and ideals to sweetriot. We especially focus on organizations that celebrate culture and diversity and young people. Our partnerships take many forms but usually involve giving the organization cacao for their special events and also sending speakers and/or people to help them at events. At this point, we are not doing cash partnerships but that’s mainly because we are a brand new company and have NO profit! We will do this in the future, but it will not be JUST a check. That’s not true partnership.

Each delish tin of chocolate is sure to bring out the inner rioter… whether it’s the scrumptious taste and low calories of sweetriot cacao, the cool art on the edge, or the cacao country fun fact inside, you’ll be glad you gave peace(s) a chance.

Featured Artist #10: Callie Hirsh

That is gorgeous art…right.  Sweetriot supports the emerging artists community by featuring works that embrace sweetriot’s culture on its tins. Every few months they ask rioters to Rock the Art Vote and help pick the featured artist for upcoming tins.

Oh, and lastly, SJP and I covet the same Sweetriot coco love…Now if only by eating all this chocolate I could look like her in skinny jeans.

This is how I rolled on the RV vaca up to Jackson Whole, Yellow Stone & Teton National Parks.  Get out and see our beautiful, beautiful country!  Enjoy the majesty of it all. Don’t mean to sound like a commercial but it is true!

So, I’ve gotta give some props to my outdoor vaca essentials…

Rockin’ the LeSportsac Frieda pack.  I basically never leave home without this baby, and it is a true head turner because it is so glam and cool…and I know everyone else wants one.  So go get your own.  BTW – clicking on the different designs you can pick from is half the fun.

Also have to say my Patagonia windbreaker never let me down either.  When the temperature fluctuates in the mountains or around town this is all ya need.  In purple to, of course.  Least not forget the dedication Patagonia has to our world, our environment.

xo H

Hey dolls.  Did ya miss me?  I totally missed you – mwah – kisses.

I’m back from vaca – WY – Lady Luxe trip – NYC – brought the kiddos back to G-parents – NJ.  Party’s over.  Lots to fill you in on…

These Ben & Jerry’s Flipped Out Sundae’s are flippin’ delish.

Check out their facebook app and flip your text too – it is so cool!

Ben & Jerry’s new Flipped Out ice creams. They are simply the most fun lil’ package you ‘ll have in your freezer!  Just peel the top, flip it over, and pop in your bowl.

Our fav was brownie but peanut butter cup, and cookie dough were pretty darn good to. We would never expect less deliciousness from B & J!

They are at WholeFoods … so don’t flip out about not being able to get your spoon in one soon.

Organic Lip & Cheek Balm is a super wide, super luxe, super fab way to get some straight up moisture when you need it or when your babe needs it.

For chapped lips, cheeks, and hands, Erbaviva’s new organic baby balm helps moisturize and heal dry skin while creating a barrier between skin and dry or cold weather. Rosemary extract gives the balm natural antioxidants, while chamomile comforts baby. With a great taste and smell, you and your babe will love the wide stick, easy-to-apply, almost 100% Organic Lip and Cheek Balm!

Organic butyrospermum parkii (shea butter), organic cera alba (beeswax), organic cathamus tinctorius (safflower) seed oil, organic ricinus communis (castor) seed oil, organic simmondsia chinensis (jojoba) seed oil, organic lavandula angustifolia (lavander) flower oil, organic anthemis nobilis flower oil, organic calendula officinalis flower extract, organic rosmarinus officinalis (rosemary) leaf extract.

OOTS! by far has the coolest, hippest, eco lunch boxes this side of Brooklyn.  There is plenty of room to pack your cupcakes & bacon for lunch.

Check it out: The lid of the box is shaped to keep a bottle in place, under an elastic strap.

All materials used are food safe and kid-friendly: made from BPA-free and phthalate-free polypropylene and safety tested for lead. The lunch box and containers are dishwasher safe (top rack) and the containers can be used in a microwave.

The ‘stacked’ design and materials used give these lunch boxes a surprising look and make them playful and tactile objects for little fingers. The upright design also prevents food from being tossed around.

The Lunchbox comes in three different color combos: Blue, Green and Orange. They are sold either without containers, or as a Deluxe version, with 4 small and 1 large container inside.

The Lunchbox is another example of the Dutch design savvy that OOTS! brings to all its products: an optimal combination of style and added functionality.

And yes, adults may use them as well.

Gretchen and Grace Greenwear is the ecoBoutique on the scene any they are stocked with our favorite brands like…Del Forte, Eberjey, Kris Nations and Night Owl.

An ecoFabulous place to shop.

Bettering our world doesn’t have to be difficult. It can be relatively easy to make small lifestyle changes that can have a large and positive impact upon our planet. Recycling, fuel and energy conservation—these are ideas that everyone can implement in their lives to lower their carbon footprint and improve our environment.

At Gretchen and Grace, you can find a wealth of resources for green fashion items that you can enjoy all the more for knowing that by purchasing them, you are becoming part of the solution and not the problem. Whether it’s a pair of gorgeous earrings made from recycled materials, the most comfortable organic cotton clothes you’ve ever worn, or personalized stationery that uses 100% recycled paper and vegetable-based inks, expressing yourself has never been so good for our world.

Time to shop ladies.

do you have a special lil’ lady in your life?

well, for the girl who has everything, she could surely use some (or all ) of this hair candy.

ali dejohn (simply one of the chicest & craftiest mom’s this side of the pond) has an etsy shop to be reckond’ with.

here is her scoop:

hello! i am a mom to two wonderful little people who inspire me to be creative everyday. i love bringing creativity into our family, making things by hand, everything cozy and the tiny details found in everyday life!

thank you so much for stopping by to check out the things i truly love to make!  ali.

Boulder’s finally getting a flea market!

The Hill Flea: A Local Cabinet of Creative Curiosities is launching this August in Boulder’s historic University Hill district and already has a killer line-up planned for launch day. The best of Boulder’s Fringe fest will perform throughout the day, and local samba march band Bateria Alegria will bring the Brazilian beats.

An interactive marketplace and community edu-tainment playspace, the Hill Flea is designed to be a dynamic destination for city and county residents of all ages, fusing creativity with education and experience. One part vintage flea market, one part interactive workshop, the Flea will bring traditional vendors, artisans, and entrepreneurs together to offer their talents and treasures for sale while also imparting their skills or knowledge to the visiting public. Celebrating the principles of sustainability, vendors and visitors alike will be invited to reuse, renew, recycle and rediscover their goods, services, and skills.

Be there, or be square.  Seriously.

So we are all aware of what this fine piece of ‘timeless’ fashion is – the Fabulous Fanny Pack.  Oh yea.

The Frieda by LeSportsac is hot on the streets.  My personal fav, the one I rock walking, biking on my cruiser or paired with skinny jeans & stilletos, is the Posey Shimmer.

With its zippers, pockets, pouches and thick waist band with a big shiny buckle it is fully fabulous and fully functional.  A place for your lip gloss, cell, some dolla bills, oh and another lip gloss – everything has a happy place.
Here are some more options.  A Frieda for every girl.  I hope to see you with yours.  As always, LeSportsac has all the colors & styles you could hope to pick from.

xo – heather

Bundle is a cloth diaper service and eco baby shop based in Boulder, Colorado.  One of my best-mama’s owns it.  She is fabulous, her family is fabulous, her shop is fabulous!

They are now online too!  Go straight to the source, that is BundleBabyShop.com

As a diaper service they deliver the highest quality diapers to families all over the Boulder and Denver metro areas in the most eco-friendly way possible (recycled plastic or cloth bags, biodiesel delivery van, 100% wind powered operation).

Cloth diapers have been reborn as a modern convenience; they are stylish and incredibly easy to use. Bundle makes your decision to cloth diaper- whether for environmental reasons or for your baby’s health – easy, economical, and fun to follow through with.

Bundle’s collection of highly-functional and insanely-cute green gear will help you minimize your footprint with style.  They carry products that are responsibly made, gentle on the environment, pleasing to the eye, and useful for families.

Bundle was founded by Julie Sparrow Carson when her first daughter Stella was a baby. Stella took epic naps! Julie and her 1-year-old Cedar are often puttering around the shop – Cedar loves to take merchandise off of the shelves and put it into the 50% off bin.

Bundle believes that families benefit enormously from a strong community to offer support and guidance. They hope to be one gateway that helps you navigate parenthood and locate community resources when you need them.

Here are, what I believe, are the most adorable glass baby bottles – and are BPA and Phthalate free – to boot.

They have a colorful silicone sleeve that makes holding the bottle easy for little hands. But, as any parent knows, many things don’t ‘drop’ on the floor…it’s more of a throw…but bottle still stays intact!

It is summer.  It is hop.  All kids jump in the pool!

Then the bath…try this California Baby Shampoo and Body wash for the perfect wash up.

Age: 6 months and older
For Use: Hair, face and body
Scent: Beautiful aromatherapy blend that includes lemongrass (yummmm)

Exceptional! Beautiful scent! Gentle! Works to rebalance pH! We can go on and on… The structure of the hair is very vulnerable to drying agents such as sea salt, chlorine and styling aids. California Baby®’s silky Swimmer’s Defense™ Shampoo & Bodywash works to wash them away gently yet thoroughly. No tears and extremely biodegradable. Perfect for year-round use.

To take the green out of blonde hair: For blondes,‘going green’, after prolonged exposure to chlorine in swimming pools isn’t unusual. In fact, sometimes darker hair can develop a green tint to it too. According to studies, the problem is due to high concentrations of copper dissolved in the pool water. Copper can chemically interact with chlorine and the resulting chemical compound readily binds to the hair cuticle. It has also been reported that high levels of copper in tap water can turn hair green! One solution is to wash hair immediately after swimming with a pH rebalancing shampoo (like this!).

A note from Jessica, developer of California Baby®: Bask in the scents of summer year-round with this unique and useful shampoo & bodywash. I always remember summers by their smell and I’m certain that this blend will make it to many top ten lists. Add this product to your shampoo rotation; it will remove build up, add moisture and make washing your hair a treat instead of chore—I love it!

Hey Mamas – this is the place to be.  Mindful-mama.com

A truly fabulous new community of moms and the people who love them.

Truly a go-to site for mindful approaches to pregnancy, adoption, birth, and parenting.

Be sure to sign up for their Mother’s Day Kick-off reader contest, which encourages parents everywhere to share with us their experience of transformation thru becoming a parent.  GREAT prizes, which will only be revealed on Mother’s Day when the contest kicks off.

These are the mama’s who started it all…this is their mission…

“Mothers have the right and the responsibility to be informed, supported, nurtured, and trusted in the process of bringing their children into the world,” states Sarah Kraft, Mindful Mama’s founder and chief motivation officer. “By trusting their experience, having the courage to ask the right questions, and demanding the best care for themselves and their children, informed mothers are ushering a new era of birth and parenting.”

“Regardless of how a woman becomes a mother, we support her,” says Deirdre Shevlin Bell,
owner and chief inspiration officer of Mindful Mama. “This is not another home birth-versus-hospital birth debate. Our concern is that every mother finds herself in capable, loving hands, with attendants who approach pregnancy, birth, and parenting with trust instead of fear; who allow birth to take its course; who understand there is much more to becoming a mother than physiology; and who tend to her intellectual, emotional, and spiritual needs as diligently as they attend to her body.

We all tell our kids to share…right?

Well, Zwaggle is parents sharing our kids stuff.  How fun is that.

Fun & genius.

Especially if you are done {period} shopping for more kids toys, clothes & all the other stuff we {need} to function with our kids.

I am talking about the kid-carrying -back-pack-side-pack – sunshaded-sippy cup holding-stroller converting – thingy- and all versions of this type of product we have bought.  Now share and share a like…and you can still have this necessity…because it is cool…right.

Sound good?  Join.  It’s really quite simple: You receive Zwaggle points (or Zoints) by giving your gently used things to other families, then use those Zoints to obtain “new” things for your family.

Sound financially smart?

Ecologically responsible?

Like a fun way to provide for your kids?

It is!

Plus when you join Zwaggle you will receive 50 Zoints for FREE and see how great it feels to do your share.

The full scoop & how to start Zwaggling.

	1. JoinStart by joining Zwaggle. The best part: It’s FREE! If a friend or family member invited you to join, follow the directions in the e-mail you received (they’ll earn extra Zoints for referring you). Click here to Join Now. You’ll even earn some Zoints to get started when you sign up.
	2. Share & Earn Once you’ve joined, it’s time to start sharing by posting your gently used children’s items on Zwaggle.You’ll earn Zoints for everything you pass along – plus extra karma points for keeping those things in circulation and out of the landfill. You can also earn Zoints by referring additional friends, family members, or coworkers to the community. They’ll love the fact that we’re committed to collaboration, not cash.
	3. Search & Find Once you’ve cleaned out your closet or garage, it’s time to put some “new” things back in. There are two ways to find what you’re looking for: Either browse items using our easy-to-use category lists, or create a Wish List to notify you when an item you want becomes available. Then use the Zoints you’ve earned to acquire that item. No cash trades hands – just an item that one family wants and another no longer needs.
	4. Deliver Whether you’re shipping or receiving an item, our integrated FedEx tool makes the transition easy no matter how far the item has to travel. The tool calculates shipping costs and lets you print prepaid, preaddressed mailing labels and schedule a pick up right from the Zwaggle site. Members arranging local deliveries can use the Zwaggle messaging system to schedule a meeting time and place that’s convenient for everyone involved.
	5. Approve Once an item reaches its destination, it’s the recipient’s job to “approve” it. The person posting the item sets its value in Zoints, but Zoints only transfer once the recipient approves the item. This system of accountability helps guarantee the satisfaction of both parties and allows everyone to Zwaggle with confidence.
	6. Do More Help others in need: Donate your Zoints to charity. Share your stuff with specific people: Start a Zwaggle Group.

Make your child’s next birthday party more meaningful.

Instead of bringing wrapped and packaged presents, guests simply rsvp and make secure online contributions that are pooled for the purchase of ONE memorable gift and to support ONE meaningful cause.

Simply select an eco-friendly invitation, choose a cause and invite your friends.

No Driving. No Shopping. No Wrapping

An ECHOage birthday party is a unique opportunity for you and your child to do something extraordinary – to improve the world – together.

Here’s how: Guests are invited to an ECHOage birthday party online. Instead of bringing a wrapped and packaged present, guests simply RSVP and give a secure online contribution.  It’s that easy.  ECHOage pools all of the contributions.  The birthday child chooses ONE special birthday present from all their friends and makes a donation to the charity of their choice.

ECHOage will arrange everything, so no need for your guests to drive, shop, wrap or even pick up the phone to make a donation.

There’s more: The parent of the birthday child gets an official tax receipt.

Any party can be an eco-friendly birthday party.

do it now…here are the fabulous mom’s who started it all and why!  we couln’t agree more.

Co-Founders, ECHOage.com
Debbie Zinman and Alison Smith

After picking up their children from yet another birthday party, two busy moms got to talking about presents, parties and plastic. They knew there had to be a better way. Little did they know, their growing desire for a meaningful solution, could actually spark a movement.

After countless meetings in the school playground, in the parking lot and even the planetarium, it became clear – their desire to improve the world, along side their children, was actually possible.

Time starved, sleep deprived and energized for change, they set out to create ECHOage.com – a ONE Gift, ONE Cause, solution to the current trend in birthday party madness.

With their combined backgrounds in teaching, design, marketing and motherhood, they believed they could give children a hands-on opportunity to do something for the planet, their peers and even their parents!

Without borders and without waste, these two mothers discovered that by actually doing less, children can easily give back so much more.

ECHOage.com. Where Children Celebrate Giving

We love Weleda’s Baby Starter Kit.  Packed with everything you  inevitably need for your sweet babe.  Perfectly packed & compact to take everywhere you and your lil ones go.

Weleda’s Baby Starter Kit has everything you need to keep your baby clean, protected, soft, nurtured and happy from head to toe. It’s a carefully formulated selection of calendula products ideal for the care of the delicate skin of your baby, child and your own sensitive adult skin. Biodynamic^® and organic calendula extract renders your baby’s skin soft and smooth, wrapping your child in a layer of warmth and protection, like a loving hug.
It makes the  perfect gift for new parents, is ideal for travel or last-minute sleepovers and comes in a handy reusable zipper bag. It’s everything you need to completely care for your precious baby’s beautiful body.

These Happy Baby picks are easily our favorites hands down.

Babies put your hands in the air.

SWEETER POTATOES & PURER PEARS

SIMPLE PURÉE : 6+ Months
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SWEETER POTATOES INGREDIENTS:
organic sweet potatoes, water for cooking

PURER PEARS INGREDIENTS:
organic pears

VITAL NUTRIENTS:
Sweet potatoes are brimming with Vitamin A. A serving of our tasty Sweeter Potatoes provides more than 100% of baby’s daily value of this vitamin. Our Pears are a good source of the antioxidants copper and vitamin C. Once called a “gift of the gods” by the ancient Greek poet Homer, pears may also help relieve baby’s constipation.

BABY DHAL, MAMA GRAIN

SORTA CHUNKY : 9+ Months
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NOW WITH DHA for eye and brain development

BABY DHAL INGREDIENTS:
water necessary for cooking, organic red lentils, organic potatoes, organic carrots, organic olive oil, organic cinnamon and organic coriander, DHA algal oil

MAMA GRAIN INGREDIENTS:
water necessary for cooking, organic bananas, organic quinoa, organic black beans, DHA algal oil

VITAL NUTRIENTS:
A mild and nutritious introduction to iron-rich lentils. One serving of Baby Dhal is an excellent source of iron, vitamin C and protein. Mama Grain is made from quinoa—called the mother grain—which is a complete protein, containing all nine essential amino acids. And to support baby’s brain and eye development, we’ve added omega-3 DHA to both recipes.

CHICK CHICK

SORTA CHUNKY : 9+ Months
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CHICK CHICK INGREDIENTS:
organic peas, organic spinach, organic butternut squash,
organic chicken, water, organic sweet potato, organic zucchini, organic brown rice

VITAL NUTRIENTS:
Delicious and mild, Chick Chick is a hearty meal, with 18% of baby’s recommended daily value of protein, whole grain brown rice, barley and a medley of veggies.

utterly cool, hip & practical for everything you do with your fabulous kids.  

Jesse Walker did it right. one side is ultra luxe – flip – the other is spill proof nylon.

big, chunky and luxe bar of soap.  get one in your bath!

simply devine.  by hugo naturals.

each bar is handcrafted with vitamin e, botanical extracts and pure essential oils.

all are handcrafted from cruelty-free ingredients.

lil’ hippie luxe.