As we know the days of buying without regard to price are gone, and calculated consumption in this troubled era has become the norm. Purchasing a few great items is the way to go to organize student life effectively and economically. The following items have been tested for their quality, value, and appeal. They’re great for a tween on the go this fall.
For the sturdiness of a boot and the ease of a pull on shoe, the equestrian-inspired Tambour Clogs by Ariat are perfect. Ariat uses the same, patented technology of its riding boots for the Performance Casuals collection. The comfortable fit includes gel cushioning in the front and a superb ankle support at the back, and these premium leather, hand-crafted clogs have fashionable details such as a rubber platform and a contrasting vamp with tiny studs. This is a strong shoe that will last for years; they can be worn in any weather, and on any occasion to be comfortable and look awesome. Available at Ariat.com, Nordstrom and other selective department stores.
Swedish clogs have been a classic for unconventional middle and high school girls since the ‘70s. Uncomplicated, comfortable and full of character, Cape Clogs adapt to any weather, and offer an amazing array of graphic uppers to fit any taste. This green, flower stitched clog is lined with warm natural fibers and has a black stained algerwood heel. Quality stitching and stapling ensure this classic clog endures and lasts over several seasons acquiring a weathered look that’s charming. These are great for growing girls as they promote orthopedic comfort by embracing the foot’s movements on a thick semi-cushioning sole. Check out the colorful collection of new woolies for fall at Capeclogs.com.
Kids love crocs so much in the summer, that they often won’t take them off after the first signs of frost. The Mammoth Style Croc with its fleece lining offers comfort and warmth for Crocs fanatics in a colder season. Available in many colors and all sizes so you never have to give up your Crocs. Find them at http://www.crocs.com
September is when children gear up for another year of reading and writing, so let them look smart in the process. Here are a few essential items that receive an A+ for style and sensibility.
Tsukihoshi has been awarded the American Podiatric Medical Association Seal of Acceptance for promoting healthy foot development, as a child’s foot isn’t simply a miniature of an adult’s foot. Their shoe collection is designed exclusively for the comfort and health of a child’s growing foot. Check out the extensive lineup at http://www.Tsukihoshi.com for boys and girls, and toddlers and sprinting young men alike. Well crafted and comfortable, these shoes are a smart investment.
Another source for gold star-worthy back to school items is The Children’s Place, which offers everything from reasonably priced informal jeans and all cotton-shirts to Halloween costumes and dress clothes. Sizes range from 6months for babies to size 14, so you can outfit your entire brood in one fell swoop. Visit http://www.thechildrensplace.com to shop and view the lineup.
Before kids, I was a disciplined working professional. Today I have two beautiful toddlers, ages four and two, and try to be a loving and disciplined Mom. Maybe it’s the times we live in? Maybe it’s my competitive neighborhood?! Whatever my motivation, that means I have enrolled my kids in pre-k programs.
That said, I was a bit stressed about the official “Summer” homework my son had to complete in preparation for his full-day program this September – 90+ pages of coloring in the lines, tracing, connecting dots, cutting, etc. I think he’s getting comfortable holding crayons properly…
But wait, Summer’s not over! And while I know most New Yorkers are type A’s (Moms too), we still want our kids to have fun, even while learning. Here are some terrific products I tested with my kids on those lazy hot days (in central air conditioning):
Since we’re avid readers, we were thrilled to find out about Innovative Kids, a 10-year old company dedicated to providing hands-on, minds-on products, such as books, games, and toys, that promote reading and learning to kids globally. Their offerings are truly unique, fun and gorgeous to look at.
We started with various Green Start® Books and Book Tower and enjoyed them a lot. The gentle, nonfiction content in each board book inspires children to love and respect the natural world. The parent spread at the back of each book shows how easy it is to practice and teach Earth-friendly habits right at home. The three books we read focused on baby animals found around the world; various types of fruits and vegetables grown in a garden; and how we experience the five senses everyday.
Green Start Book Tower: Little Animal Books were especially appealing to my 21-month old as she could comfortably hold them in her hands and easily turn the pages by herself. The tower consists of ten chunky stackable block books featuring fun rhyming mini-stories about favorite animals including the alligator, elephant, giraffe, kangaroo, koala, lion, monkey, panda, penguin, and turtle. When we were finished reading, we slipped them back into the tote-along tower. Or I could just take a few with me in my diaper bag to read-on-the-go.
New scientific data is suggesting that the risks of developing cancer later in life is higher than ever because of the ingredients in the everyday and personal care products we use.
Make sure you buy back to school products that won’t leak anything dangerous into your child’s body. Caring about our children’s future includes making the best choices for this endangered human species.
Children enjoy doing their homework more if they have a good source of natural light to keep their eyes comfortably focused and not strained. The Planet Light by Verilux features unique Verilux Trucolite compact fluorescent bulb technology, which creates a balanced spectrum of natural sunlight to make reading at night much more enjoyable, safe, healthy, and economical. It consumes only a fifth of the power of a comparable incandescent light bulb, lasts up to 10,000 hours and generates no harmful UV rays and very little heat. The natural light spectrum uplifts tired, sun deprived moods in the winter for a happier over all sense of being. Children will be thrilled that this green product does not waste energy and helps curtail energy consumption to protect the future of their planet.
The Eco Gear Fjord Charcoal Bag is the perfect accessory for the sophisticated youth who enjoys contemporary hip design, function and is committed to the environment. Eco gear bags are made out of pvc–free fabric and toxic–free dyes. The production of pvc plastic or vinyl creates toxins that have been known to cause severe damage of health such as endocrine disorders, cancer and birth defects. Other details include a mesh padded back, a compartment for a laptop made out of rPET polyester materials, natural cotton webbing and buckles made out of recycled plastic. A must have for an enlightened youth who wants to reduce his carbon imprint on this endangered planet.
The Lunchopolis Lunch Box is nicknamed the garbage free lunch box because its point is to stop the overflowing of landfills with wrappers and disposable containers used for lunch. It includes different sized containers and a drinking bottle. BFA plastic is a safe alternative to regular plastic because it prevents Bisphenol leeching from the plastic to the food if you heat it up. Your child is encouraged to think about reusing and recycling rather than use and dispose.
After you become pregnant, your loyalties tend to shift to everything green, healthy, earthy, non-toxic, natural and organic. Is that really necessary, you wonder, as you’re tempted by the new skin technology wonders you read about in glossy magazines? You bet! According to the Environmental Working Group, 455 chemicals are found in the body on a daily basis that should not be there. Just in their personal care, people are exposed to 126 chemicals a day and one in every 24 women is exposed every day to personal care ingredients that are known reproductive and developmental toxins. The skin is like a sponge that absorbs everything you put on it and it all ends up in the blood stream. Your baby is not spared from contamination as in your own womb it is already ingesting toxins stemming from what you eat and put on your skin. If you enjoy pampering yourself but don’t want all the synthetic chemicals of commercial products, try these botanically based natural brands for a sounder,“au naturel” fix. Plants were used for thousand of years to treat skin problems effectively and have properties well worth revisiting in our time of environmental disasters and synthetic addictions.
We all suffer from free radical damage and need a good skin lotion as a result. Aubrey Organics, one of the pioneers of the natural and herbal skin care movement, has a Sea Buckthorn Moisturizing Lotion with topical ester, ingredients essential to protect from free radical damage. It also contains organic aloe and evening primrose oil to soothe dry, itchy skin. For stretched marks after pregnancy and for skin that needs to improve texture, The Unscented Ultimate Moisturizing Lotion has organic sunflower, macadamia nut oils and white camelia oil to nourish and condition tired skin. For a face’s surface that feels taut, dry and uneven during or after pregnancy, The Rosa Mosqueta Rose Hip Moisturizing Cream is rich in LINOLENIC and LINOLEIC acids essential for hydrated healthy skin and horsetail and coltsfoot to improve elasticity. It works well to relax the face, fight little lines and keep it moisturized and soothed. For an oilier complexion, The Oil Balancing Moisturizer will condition and heal the skin with a coconut fatty acid cream base, calendula oil for cell renewal and a blend of herbs such as yarrow horsetail, mistletoe and nettle. For a new mom, nothing may be more relaxing than a bit of pampering during Baby’s nap. Aubrey Organics Green Tea and Green Clay Rejuvenating Mask cleans pores, cleanses and smoothes the skin with natural fruity acids. Green tea is twenty times more powerful than vitamin E to minimize the effect of sun and pollution on the skin’s aging process. Enjoy your rest and make it a routine to relieve the stress of your new mama life. Available in all health stores nationwide and at http://www.Aubreyorganics.com.
Meadowlake Farms Beehive Skin Therapies consistently aim for the purest non-toxic products with organic honey and botanicals harvested on their own farm. For the little lines around your eyes from sleepless nights (not carousing around town so much anymore as keeping up with Baby) try the About Eyes eye cream that gently moisturizes the fragile eye area with emolients extracted from pure raw honey, essential oils of grapefruit, sweet almond and carrot seed extract. Raw honey has extremely beneficial effects on the skin and is used in hospitals to heal skin burns. None of Meadowlake Farms products contain any petroleum derivatives, cosmeceuticals, bioceuticals, synthetic isolates and have no suspected human potential risks. Check this highly ethical company at http://www.beehiveskintherapies.com
Are you of the kind that cannot deal with a three step routine and demands a product that cleanses, tones, exfoliates and moisturizes, healing and balancing skin at the same time? Made of chlorey nahre (an organic micro-algae) and heilmoor clay, The Wonderbar does just that. It purges the skin of toxins and brings it to a new balance it never knew before. You may experience temporary dryness and even breakouts as your skin adjusts to the new regimen but once your skin has adjusted to its optimal 5.65 you will be surprised by the results. Dry skin gets less dry, oily skin gets less oily. The longer you use Wonderbar, the more balanced, healthy and glowing your skin will get. A true wonder of nature! For more information visit http://www.wonderbarusa.com