REVIEW + GIVEAWAY: 4 Contigo Stainless Steel West Loop Travel Mugs

ContigoContigo makes the only reusable bottles and mugs that you will need, period. We use ours every single day, starting with filling our Stainless Steel West Loop travel mugs with coffee, tea and cocoa in the morning to re-hydrating all day and at the gym with our Addison bottles.

I was excited to hear that Contigo just launched their newest collection of Stainless Steel West Loop Travel Mugs. They are available in 7 fantastic new colors (my fave is the grayed jade), and even boasts a lifetime guarantee.

The West Loop travel mugs keep iced drink cold and warm drinks hot! Just press the front button to sip, and when the button is released, the lid seals once again. When it comes to cleaning, the easy clean lid makes it a snap: just twist off the lid, press a button to expose the lid mechanism, and place it in the top rack of the dishwasher, or wash by hand.

Here’s a goody for all Sweet Greens readers, receive 20% off your order of your next Contigo mug with the code WESTLOOP20 – valid through October 31, 2014.

Want to try out a Contigo Westloop mug for yourself? How about four! Jump over to Contigo and leave a comment telling me what your favorite mug color is – and one lucky winner will win a 4-pack of Contigo Westloop Mugs!

Announcing The Faire Collection’s 2014 Fall/Winter Midnight Collection

Faire_1TaguaGemNKL_JosephineCuffBRC_model (1) (1)I am a huge fan of The Faire Collection – I have several pieces of their jewelry and they are my go to when I want to wear a statement piece! I was super excited to hear that they, along with their community of global artisans have launched their newest collaboration for fall/winter 2014 – the Midnight Collection! Faire_DualTasselNecklace_LeatherGemBRC_model (1) (1)

The Midnight Collection brings forth the most stunning and natural handmade jewelry made with their artisan partners in the Ecuadorian Amazon. Rich textures and elegant materials, such as the rainforest seeds tagua and acai, as well as sustainably sourced upcycled bullhorn really pop in this season’s collection. Midnight was inspired by the French belle époque period, where peace and prosperity inspired fashion trends, which blends perfectly with Faire’s diversity of its fair trade materials and global style influence.Faire_ViolaBRC_JazzNKL_model_738x741px (1)

Here’s another little tidbit, the Founder and CEO of Faire, Amanda Judge, created Faire to provide consumers with the first fashion brand that created high fashion, fair trade jewelry designed from this region of the world.

Which piece is your favorite?

 

Happy Labor Day!

Marthat StewartHello, Friends! I hope you are enjoying the long weekend. Hooray for bar-be-ques and outdoor parties! We plan to spend the day at the beach soaking in the 1st day of September.

I saw these photos on Martha Stewart’s Labor Day Party Ideas page and fell in love with the Sangria – I am definitely adding it to my Labor Day menu!

I hope you enjoy a fun Labor Day full of watermelon, sunshine and corn on the cob!

 

Have a Lovely Weekend + A Few Green Things

apple-orchardHello, Friends! How have you been? I haven’t written “A Few Green Things” in quite some time. I have been super busy building my virtual assistant firm and as you may have noticed, I have hired a few writers to help ensure that Sweet Greens is being updated with great green content each week! In fact, if you are interested in being a contributor,please email me, I would love to chat!

Eben started 8th grade this week – it really is amazing how quickly time flies. He was only 8 years old when I started writing Sweet Greens and now he is in his last year of middle school. Can you believe that it is almost September? I am already dreaming of our fall family trip – it is quickly approaching. Do you have any fall family traditions that you are looking forward to? A favorite pumpkin patch? Apple orchard? Fall hiking trail? While I lay back and dream of fun fall activities, here are a few green things I thought you might enjoy!

– I am in love with this twist on the ice bucket challenge – check out the trash bucket challenge!
Dogs really are the most amazing animals in the world!
– Are you eating enough fruits and vegetables each day?
– I am in love with this tiny home – it is complete perfection!
– What is hiding in your O.J.? Make sure you are buying a “good” one!
– Finally! For all of us biking enthusiasts – a self-locking bike.

I hope you enjoy the last weekend of August – I will see you back here in September!

xo,
Sweet Greens

6 Great Kid-Friendly Uses for Organic Coconut Oil

CoconutRemember the father in law in “My Big Fat Greek Wedding” who used Windex to cure everything? Well, I’m that way with coconut oil. I’m convinced it does everything that duct tape can’t. But we all know by now that coconut oil is practically a deity when it comes to health, wellness, and being green. I use for everything from conditioning my hair and brightening my smile to soothing chapped lips and rough elbows! You may be wondering how your children can benefit from coconut oil too? I put together a list of my six favorite ways to incorporate coconut oil into your child’s daily routine – you will want to pin or bookmark these, they are pretty amazing!

1. Lotion + Diaper Cream:
Coconut oil is a great diaper cream for those who use cloth diapers, and a great lotion for babies and kids alike, especially those with sensitive skin! It’s also great because a little goes a very long way and it can even be mixed with other lotions or oils to make your own lotion creation!

2. Frizzy Hair Tamer:
Coconut oil can conquer the static and frizz putting a wrench in those busy school day mornings with just a quick dab in the hands and a finger comb through the hair.

3. Lice Treatment:
Mix coconut oil with apple cider vinegar, and you have a natural lice remedy. This one is great to have in your arsenal for the younger kids, especially now that school is back in session!

4. Chicken Pox Anti-Itch Remedy:
The little ones are bound to get Chicken Pox at some time or another, and why should they suffer through the itching? Rub coconut oil on their spots and they’ll feel some relief and be able to get more rest.

5. Safe for Cooking:
Growing kids will ask for something that’s not good for them, it’s fate! Why not be a little sneaky and use coconut oil to add a healthy twist to their indulgence, and it may even turn the whole meal into a healthy treat! We use coconut oil when making popcorn – it takes a simple treat to a whole new level!

6. Immunity Superhero:
Scrapes and sickness are two things almost guaranteed to happen to your little ones. Coconut oil is great as an antibiotic cream for scratches, and can be taken internally to fight the cold and flu. It’s also perfect in a cup of tea to sooth a sore throat, and naturally heals thrush too.

YOUR TURN: What are your favorite uses for coconut oil?