For the shopaholic, having a baby can be one of the best excuses out there to head directly to the mall. You rationalize that the money you're spending is for your little one, so it's okay. But let's face it---there are the essentials and then everything else, and things that belong in the "everything else" column are not for so much for your baby, but for who? Yes, you.

Case in point? The Boon Snack Container that I just purchased for our son. He's 17 months old, and as far as I know, he has no opinion on design. He doesn't care if his Cheerios come in a brown paper sack, he just wants what's inside.

But I bought it anyway. Why?  Mostly because I love the design (I have a weakness for simple modern styling), but it's also easy to clean, and I know that Boon gives 10% of its profits to charities helping underprivileged children, like Helping Orphans Worldwide. The container is also BpA, phthalate and PVC-free. It's a boon for everyone.

Boon Snack Container, available in orange (pictured above), pink and green/blue, $6.49
Sold at Target, Baby Gap or find other retailers near you

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Boon Inc.
www.booninc.com
888-376-4763
info@booninc.com

I'm not over-zealous in my green pursuits. I don't collect rainwater or have solar panels, but I do what I can. I buy into the theory that little changes can make a big difference, so when I stumbled across fabric sandwich bags and snack pouches on reusablebags.com, I did my research and then handed over my credit card number.

First, I've got to hand it to reusablebags.com.  Not only do they offer sensible and stylish products that help you green your life, they have excellent customer service (I have first-hand experience), support fair trade practices and are members of 1% for the Planet, which means 1% of sales are donated to said organization.

I ordered a couple of the ACME Bags™ Snack Bag and Stuff Sack (made of recycled PET), the Wrap-N-Mat® sandwich wraps, and the ReUsies™ sandwich bags.  All of them are great for different purposes. The snack pouch is perfect for crackers and chips, while the sandwich wrap keeps my turkey on rye together despite jostling. It also gives me a clean place to munch on my lunch, no plate required. The sandwich bag is handy for sliced fruit, veggies and the not-so- occasional cookie.

I'm giving myself two thumbs up for these purchases; not only am I saving money (I haven't bought plastic wrap or wax paper in months), but I'm also reducing the amount of plastic that goes into our landfills. Yahoo!

ACME Bags™ Snack Bag and Stuff Sack, $4.95 on reusablebags.com
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• 50% post-consumer recycled content
• Made from recycled plastic bottles and containers 

Wrap-N-Mat® Wrap, Regular, $6.95; Large, $8.95 on reusablebags.com
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• BPA, lead and phthalate free
  

ReUsies™ Sandwich Bag, $8.75 on reusablebags.com
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• Washer/dishwasher safe
• 100% cotton; liner made of PVC-free nylon
• Made in USA
  

All products above are available for purchase on reusablebags.com
service@reusablebags.com
888.707.3873
Bonus: Shipping is a flat $5.95

It's hard to get excited about a toothbrush. Especially a manual one that doesn't have all the bells and whistles of those super-powered, UV sanitizing gizmos with sonic technology.  But give me a chance to explain...

I've been a fan of Preserve's toothbrush for a while. It comes in a variety of bristle softness, from ultra soft to medium (I prefer soft), has a comfortable arched handle and what they describe as "tiered bristles for gentle, thorough cleaning". All I know is it's doing its job. The fact that it's made from recycled plastic (handle used to be a yogurt cup), is recyclable, BPA-free and made in the USA (minimizing its carbon footprint), makes me want to flash my pearly whites. Bonus: its packaging doubles as a travel case.

But you can't brush you teeth with a toothbrush alone, and until recently, I'd been searching for a natural toothpaste.  So how happy was I when I found  Trader Joe's Antiplaque Toothpaste with Fennel, Propolis and Myrrh? Ecstatic.   Unlike many toothpastes, it is free of saccharin, lauryl sulfates and propylene glycol.  It's also refreshing, literally and figuratively.  After brushing, my mouth was tingly fresh, while I found its anise flavor unique and unexpected. You can't beat the price either---I paid $1.99 for a six ounce tube. That's something worth smiling about.

Preserve Toothbrush, $2.79 (available at Target, Whole Foods and Trader Joe's)
Trader Joe's Antiplaque Toothpaste, $1.99 for a six ounce tube

Preserve Products
www.preserveproducts.com
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Trader Joe's Antiplaque Toothpaste
www.traderjoes.com
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Looking for someone who loves hot, steamy showers and long soaks in the tub. Pretty, sweet and bubbly. Likes a good lather. Good hygiene is a must.

A friend recently introduced me to Napa Farmhouse 1885's handcrafted, organic soap in their signature scent and I have to say, we're a perfect match.

1) I don't like heavily perfumed products. This soap has a delicate fresh fragrance with hints of meyer lemon, mandarin orange, lavender and rosemary. 2) I have dry skin. This soap is super-moisturizing (I didn't have have to lotion up after showering and it's winter, people!).  3) I hate toxic relationships.  It's handmade from organic and sustainably farmed ingredients grown in bucolic Napa Valley. What's not to love?

But if this relationship doesn't workout, I've also got my eye on their dead sea mineral mud soap and lavender bath soak.

Napa Farmhouse 1885's organic soap in "signature scent"
$7 for a 4.5 oz bar

Napa Farmhouse 1885
www.napafarmhouse1885.com
napafarmhouse1885@gmail.com

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Now that I'm in my early thirties, I've decided that it's time to throw away the college Miró and Rothko prints and buy some "real" art.  You know, the kind that you actually frame, instead of adhere to the wall with blue putty.

Which brings me to Jason Tinacci Photography. Yes, I am tooting the horn of another friend, but it's only because I also happen to love his work. His friendship is secondary (at least when it comes to this blog posting).

Though he hasn't quit his day job, I hope one day he can because Jason is pure genius behind the lens. He sees things that the average person, like me, doesn't when they look around the world, and is able to capture those images with his camera. Even the simple and mundane become beautiful and noteworthy. Check out his portfolio and you'll see what I mean.

Jason Tinacci Photography
1164 Pear Tree Lane
Napa, CA 94558
studio: 707.287.5397
fax: 530.685.5561
jason@tinacciphoto.com

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I'm not a big fan of "look at me" jewelry.  Sure, there's a time a place for them, like the red carpet or the runway at Fashion Week, but I can't say I frequent those places ever.

Instead I'm running around the neighborhood with my dogs, shopping the local farmers' market or heading down to the library with my son for storytime. Which is why I love the pieces at Anna's Jewlery Design.  It's not just that Anna is a friend (she is). It's that her pieces are beautiful, elegant and understated enough to wear everyday. They're also handmade (I know, I've seen her at work in her studio in Sonoma, California).

I bought myself the ring (pictured above) from the peace collection and am smitten with it. I don't drop this much money on jewelry very often, but Anna's pieces are ones I can imagine handing down. And I feel like I'm simultaneously investing in my friend while rooting for the brave little artisans that have taken the plunge into entrepreneurship. 

Anna's Jewlery Design - www.annasjewlerydesign.com
707.321.3479 or anna@annasjewelrydesign.com

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