Sweet Greens
Your Earth Friendly Guide to All Things Green | Green Parenting | Eco Kids | Green Families
West Elm has a new natural body care collection for men in their market called Sam’s Natural. The collection is made in small batches from natural ingredients, is free from parabens, sulfates and heavy metals and is biodegradable! I also think the packaging is perfect and the hardwood scent sounds fantastic!
I am adding this collection to the mister’s holiday stocking stuffer list!
+ Soap for Men $8.95
+ Deodorant Stick $8.95
+ Down There Repair $8.95
+ Hand Repair $11.95
Here in Florida, summer break is half-way over! This means I have started to consider Eben’s back to school shopping. Luckily, Eben’s school takes care of all of the school supplies. Hooray!
I didn’t want to make any unnecessary purchases so Eben and I went through all of his clothes yesterday. We sorted all of his clothing into three bins, Keep, Sell and Donate. I was happy to find that most of his school uniforms are still in great condition and with a handful of new uniforms that a friend gave me, I won’t have to buy a single uniform this year! I washed his backpack (his is the Land’s End one) and lunchboxes (he has a PlanetBox and Laptop Lunchbox) – all came out of the wash looking brand new! And while shopping for a pair of sandals at the beginning of summer, I found a pair of KEEN Truckee sneakers for $5. So, the only things that I will need to pick up are socks and undergarments – I feel like I am ahead of the game!
This made me wonder, are you already starting your back to school shopping? What’s on your list? Are there items that you will be reusing?
This summer, I have spent almost every single sailing, hanging out at the beach or swimming at the pool with these guys! And since I have been packing my beach bag every day, I thought this would be a good time to share my 7 favorite eco-friendly must haves that I pack in my beach bag every morning.
1. Beach Bag
A large, roomy beach bag to carry all of my beach goodies! Right now, I am using a bag I have had for years! When I do need a new one, I love this Beach Bag made from Recycled Sailboat Sails $75 via HoistAwayBags.
2. A Good Book
After, spending the afternoon snorkeling or paddleboarding, I like to relax on the beach with a good book. Right now, I am a little obsessed with urban gardening, so Urban Farms $30 via Anthropologie is calling my name!
3. A Big, Floppy Hat
My skin is super-sensitive, so I have been obsessed with wearing my big floppy hat every time we go outside. The mister picked me up a Columbia floppy hat years ago, and I love this turquoise straw floppy hat $49 via Goorin Bros.
4. Giant Organic Hooded Towel
Perfect for wrapping up on a cool beach day or after a dip in the pool, this organic chevron hooded towel $49 Teagan and Bailey is fabulous and did I mention – chevron!
5. A Long-Sleeved Rash Guard
I am obsessed with my white long-sleeved rash guard – it keeps me protected all day when we are surfing or paddleboarding. Our entire family wears long-sleeve rash guards, they are a great way to make sure your family is always protected when out in the sun all day! These eco-friendly rash guards via Sol Wear are only $34.
6. Stainless Steel Divided Containers
I like to fill our reusable stainless steel containers with fresh whole snacks for the whole family. These stainless steel containers $49 via LunchBots have four sections and an attached lid!
7. A Great Organic Sunscreen
We keep our home stocked with great organic sunscreens for the entire family. One of our favorites is Badger’s Organic Sports Sunscreen $16 via Badger Balm.
8. Flip Flops
I am a huge fan of flip flops, some of my favorite include Ocean Minded (I have them in turquoise and yellow!), Simple Shoes and these Reef flip flops $32 that support local Mayan highland artisans via Planet Shoes.
What eco-friendly goodies are packed for your day at the beach or pool?
It’s time to pull out your warm-weather kicks! Hooray for sunshine and hot days. I am a huge fan of warm-weather shoes that are both eco-friendly and a little quirky. In fact, my entire life I was always known as the girl with the funky, quirky kicks. Here are five quirky shoes that are also eco-friendly that are on my wish list for warm-weather.
1. Reef: Bella Costa Tropic Flats
Each Reef Tropic sandal is hand-woven and crafted by artisans in the Mayan highlands of Guatemala, giving them the opportunity to create a sustainable living. These colorful, ikat kicks are at the top of my spring wish list!
2. Kamik: Jennifer Rain Boots
Florida has officially moved into the rainy season. It rains almost every day during the summer here so a pair of rain boots is essential! I love these Jennifer rain boots from Kamik, they are 100% vegan and recyclable and they come in red.
+ Kamik Jennifer Rain Boots $65
+ Kamik
3. TOMS: R2D2 Edition
We already know what a great company TOMS is and how for every pair of shoes purchased – a pair is donated to a child in need. I love the idea of taking a classic pair of TOMS kicks and turning them into art. These TOMS transformed into R2D2 are right up my alley. Eben would go crazy if I had R2D2 on my feet! What a great idea if you have a pair of TOMS that has a stain on them, just cover them up with art!
+ TOMS Classic Kicks $54
+ TOMS
4. TOMS: Ballet Flats
Every girls needs a pair of ballet flats and these ones from TOMS give back to a child in need. Win-win! I love these comfy, stylish kicks – which are perfect for running around all summer long. And the colors and patterns are just too much fun.
5. Reef: Guatemalan Love
Like Reef’s Tropic ballet flats, the Reef: Guatemalan Love sandals are good for the environment and support local Mayan highland artisans too. I am a flip-flop type of gal so these are right up my alley! I have owned many pairs of Reef sandals in my day and they are definitely at the top of my favorites list. And they are affordable too!
+ Reef Guatemalan Love Flip Flops $32
+ Planet Shoes
What is your favorite type of shoe for spring and summer?
I am a huge fan of natural bar soaps, I think they may be my favorite beauty item! Needless to say, I am smitten with these fabulous natural bars from You Smell. Each bar is made with natural shea butter and olive olive, free of parabens and phthalates. And the design is fantastic, no? I think they would make me smile every time I took a bath. I wonder if they smell as good as they look.
When you buy natural soaps do you choose ones that look and smell as good as they work?