Recently in Eco-Chic Category

I just discovered the most wonderful and precious shoe line, Livie and Luca. I found them at Baby Wright's in Manhattan Beach, one of my favorite boutiques for tots, and both my daughters just fell in love. They look handmade with love and has a comfortable flexible rubber sole and a padded Achilles heel for blister protection. They are also made wide for those with lovely padded feet. The designs are whimsical and charming, like they were made by fairies! The designs are very fairy-eque with flowers, butterflies and mushrooms motifs. I was expecting to pay a kings ransom for such gems but they are only $45 at Livie and Luca's website. I paid $50 at the store but with shipping, it comes out to be the same. The company is committed to using recycled leather, so not only are your tots reducing their environmental footprints with their footprints, you get the benefit of the savings!! Win Win Win for all. The Livie's Pink Wings Mary Jane with six colorful butterflies for $45 and the Pio Pio Pink, which is the sound birds make in Spanish, has a pink bird with contrasting green base (also comes in other color ways) for $45.50.

The love for Play Doh is endless and although it is "non-toxic", it is not the most eco-friendly considering it contains all that dye. And have you every tried eating it? I personally do not think it smells as delicious as some people do, but if you ever get some in your mouth, you will find that it is extremely salty and totally disgusting. This is why your tot never tries doing that more than once. Eco-dough is an alternative to the classic, it is made from plant and vegetable extracts and has NO chimicals, artificial dyes or metals. The containers are made from cornstarch and are 100% compostable (if you have a compost, if not, this will just simply disintegrate at the landfill). It suposedly does not dry out as easily as Play Doh and even if it does, add olive oil to revive it. I have not tried this but I have tried adding water to Play Doh, which is very messy and does not bring it back to its original luster. Eco-Dough at Amazon for $24.50, which is a bit pricey but going green usually is.

Ahh, the good old fashioned toys are making a come back and with good reason. My husband's dad is from Alabama and comes from a family rich in tradition. We went to visit his great-aunt and she pulled out a wooden wagon and blocks that were literally a hundred years old! It is so wonderful to see my tots play with toys that has brought joy to so many generations. There is a connection to their heritage that is absolutely priceless. But in order to start a long line of keepsakes, you have to get toys that will last (and does not become obsolete with technology). These handmade tops are a perfect addition or start to the tradition. I think a lot of people have this in mind because these wonderful and beautifully made tots are sold out at Fawn and Forest but I suspect they will re-stock and re-stock and re-stock, hopefully for generations.

Have a special party planned and want something nice for hold your favors? These gable boxes are pretty, sturdy and re-usable! They are made from 100% recycled board so you can feel doubly good about giving these away. They come in a variety of designs as well as 2 sizes. Pack them with toys or treats (great for giving away homemade pastries, just make sure to line them with wax paper). You can even use these as lunch boxes for special outings. You'll be that mom everyone envies when you show up to a picnic with lunches delicately packed in these amazing boxes!! Mini $.80 and large $1.99 each, at Meggie Moos.

This is so cool I had to feature it, even though it is only available in the UK (hopefully, they'll start selling these here soon). This kit includes 6 different toys that are all solar powered. Each of the 6 models are easy to assemble and provide endless hours of fun. Endless because the batteries will never run out! OK, I guess it does eventually get dark but the sun will come up tomorrow, right? =) Learn about solar energy while having a blast! At Green Rewards UK, which is a totally green shop that gives you points for every eco-friendly project purchased. You can "buy" more stuff using your points. What a fantastic idea. I am going to do some research to see if there is something like that in the US.

Teach your tots how to sort for the recycling bin, and then they can pick it all up in their recycling truck. Green Toys has a line of toys that uses recycled plastic and other environmentally friendly materials. So not only are you teaching what you say, but also what you do! Finally, there is something you can say that about =) Plus, who doesn't love trucks? Even my princess obsessed girl has a collection of trucks that she's played with since she was a baby. Recycling truck is $28 at Half Pint Citizens.