Shopping Guide - Green

Green Lullaby

Green Lullaby — an eco-friendly design company based in Israel — has debuted an adorable new dollhouse girls of all ages will love.

Easy-to-put together and take apart, the My Green Dollhouse ($70) is made of 100% extra-tough cardboard made from recycled materials. Added bonus: the paints, adhesives, lacquer and fire retardant are non toxic and water-based.

A fresh take on the traditional dollhouse, it sports a modern pink/brown palette and whimsical home decor drawings. It’s also 100% recyclable and biodegradable, so when its time is up — just throw it in the recycle bin.

Twirls and Twigs/Noel Vasquez/Getty

We recently spotted Dannielynn and dad Larry (mom is the late Anna Nicole Smith) cuddling courtside at a Lakers game. We couldn’t help but notice her matching ladybug face paint and dress.

We tracked the darling dress down here. It’s by Twirls and Twigs — an adorable and affordable line of eco-friendly duds for girls. The style she’s wearing retails for $52.

Want to buy some fun styles for your son? The company recently launched a line for boys called the Critter Brigrade.

Natural Pod Tree Branch Blocks

Since arriving in our playroom, the award-winning Tree Branch Blocks ($30 CAD) from Natural Pod have been a major source of entertainment for my children.

Packaged in a simple cotton bag, these beautiful ‘blocks’ are made from local tree branches from Vancouver Island. They’re sanded until smooth (so no splinters!) and finished with beeswax.

Available in three sizes, the smallest set has 14 pcs — which is a great starter set for mini builders. My son and I loved playing with all the different shapes and creating all kinds of new structures together.

Interested in buying a set? Right now, Natural Pod is offering 10% on all purchases until December 1st. Just enter the coupon code CBB.66f71de.

While you’re shopping, check out their new Natural Pod dollhouse — it’s beyond drool-worthy. Another fave is the innovative Push-Cart/Doll Rocker combo. Both will provide hours and hours of incredible family fun.

– Stephanie

Bloumebaby.com

Sometimes it’s hard for a mom to find the time, let alone the energy, to scope out the best sources for healthy, natural and sustainable items for her baby. That’s why the newly launched Bloumebaby.com is like an organic dream come true!

This one-stop eco-friendly shop has everything you need! From gorgeous clothing that you won’t find anywhere else (this adorable organic thermal tee is custom-made for Bloume) to slings, stroller accessories and skin care — this chic e-boutique makes green shopping as easy as 1-2-3!

My favorite part? Not only are they eco-conscious, but they’re high on style too. Being crunchy never looked so good.

Now all that’s left for you to do is decide what you’ll do with all the time you’ll save… plant a tree, perhaps?

– Stephanie

Gap Kids

High-end designer and mother of three Stella McCartney is branching out — to grade school! She’s launching a fun and functional collection ($14 to $128) for GapKids and babyGap that features her signature soft color palette, unique mix of unexpected pieces and eco-friendly philosophy. Talk about mini-me high fashion!

You’ll find everything from tulle tutus, velvet blazers, and leopard print knits for girls to super hero graphic tees, anoraks made from recycled fabrics and classic mandarin shirts for boys. Our fave piece is the military inspired Miller jacket ($128) which is both fashion forward and super cute.

Stella’s also created a range of organic cotton and cashmere/silk mix styles (sweaters, envelope neck onesies and more) for babyGap in sweet hues of heather grey, sky and misty rose.

“For years now I’ve wanted to create a collection for kids,” says McCartney. “There are pieces that are classic and sort of timeless and hopefully very chic, mixed with more playful and a little bit cooler pieces. It’s a reflection of our brand and a great way to experience it.”

If you live in the NY area, head out to shop the preview sale at the Fifth Avenue flagship store’s white space starting October 30th at 9 a.m.

On November 2nd, the full 70-piece collection will hit select GapKids and babyGap stores across the country. Hurry up and snap up your faves! We have a feeling this line won’t last long in stores.

Above left: Charcoal cardigan coat ($68) and Silk ruffle dress ($58)

Above right boy 1: Plaid western shirt ($38), Baseball tee ($28), Cable knit hat ($28) and hi-top sneakers ($48)

Above right boy 2: Yellow hooded fisherman’s mac ($48), Slouchy knit hat ($28) and Duck boots ($58)

QuietHoursToys.com

Crayon Rocks

What: Some of the most delightful artisan-crafted toys and wares from around the world.
Why We Love It: Without having to spend time researching, you can know that these toys are going to be safe and fun for your children.  Their products are beautiful, imaginative, long-lasting and made from natural and sustainable materials.
Shop Here For: Charming wooden figures and farmhouses by Ostheimer, cloth and wood play food (no matter how you slice it, every child loves play food!), unique craft supplies and fun room décor.
Our Favorites: No child should be without the store’s most popular item, Crayon Rocks ($7). So simple, yet so cool.  And the new wool and cotton dolls by Viola Studio ($38-$56) are as funky as they are adorable (you can even order a custom doll to look like your child!). Don’t miss the tiny felt baby shoes ($32)… how can you not want a pair in every style?

Eco Bags
What: Analmost endless assortment of reusable bags, accessories — and more.
Why We Love It: If you’re sick of adding to your carbon footprint on a daily basis by using plastic bags, this is the place to get a shopping bag for every situation.
Shop Here For: Produce bags like the Hemp-Cotton All-Purpose Tote Bag in rosin ($19.50), lunch bags from Built NY ($9.99, shown at left), reusable water bottles, spa and travel bags, and string bags.
Our Favorites: The EcoUsable Reusable Bottle($12.99) is an upgrade over the wide-mouth Nalgene bottles we tossedbecause of BPA concerns (though their new bottles are BPA-free). Wealso love the Garden Collection Classic String Bags($32.50 for five) with long handles for trips to the supermarket. Theyhold a ton of fresh produce, but are also great for hauling toys to andfrom the beach!
CBB Deal: Save 15% when you use coupon code CBB08. (Expires Oct. 31, 2008.)

The Little Seed
What: An eco-friendly store for green parents. Actress/mom Soleil Moon Frye is one of the store’s founders.
Why We Love It: The store has a well-edited selection of some of the best organic baby products available.
Shop Here For: Furniture by Nursery Works, Netto and Cariboo. dwell baby bedding, natural wooden toys, and organic cotton clothing from Kate Quinn Organics, Under the Nile, Sage Creek, Fauna, and Speesees.
Our Favorites: Mary’s Soft Dough ($8), Eco Tots Table Set ($260), Bambu Kids utensils ($8.50-18), Belle Baby Carrier ($95), IsaBooties Ballet Criss-Crossers ($30), Kate Quinn Organics 3-pack of lap neck onesies
($45).
Celeb Fans: Demi Moore, Jessica Alba, Melissa Joan Hart
CBB Deal: Save 10% with coupon code GREENBABY (expires 10/31/08).

Precious Pak

Love Me Baby Me
What: An all-natural line of skincare products for children and babies.
Why We Love It: Founded by a mom on a mission — Rosemary Anthony — the products are gentle and 100 percent natural, utilizing preservatives derived from flowers. Rosemary uses the hypoallergenic, vegan-friendly, paraben- and phthalate-free lotions and shampoos on her daughter, who suffers from Urticaria.
Shop Here For: Tear-free bubbly wash, shampoo, lightweight moisturizer, hair putty and soothing "butt balm."
Our Favorites: The Precious Pak ($25), which bundles all five products from the line into one cute gift box.

Bubble Bath Tote

California Baby
What: Allergen-free hair, body, bath and skincare products for babies and children.
Why We Love It: From citronella sunscreen lotion ($17.99) and botanical moisturizing cream ($8.95-13.50) to calming bubble bath ($12.50), you might want to steal some of these products for yourself. While several items come in yummy scents, many are scent-free, and most are available in travel sizes for convenient toting in diaper bags and suitcases.
Shop Here For: All-natural newborn basics like diaper rash cream, body wash, gentle sunscreen, non-talc powder and other items for sensitive skin. Themed gift baskets for diaper care and bath time are lots of fun, too.
Our Favorites: The eight aromatherapy bubble baths ($12.50) serve different purposes — to calm, to combat cold and flu, to soothe overtired babies, and more. Plus, they come with colorful bubble wands. Any of the gift sets make great baby shower gifts too!