Flowers of the Afternoon Scarf from Ten Thousand Villages
As a mom, I always look forward to spending Mother’s Day with my family. Quality time together (no screens, no overly busy schedule) means much more to me than any gift they may decide to get me.
When it comes to green Mother’s Day gifts, my husband knows better than to let them buy something just for the sake of having a gift.
So if there’s something I want, I drop obvious hints. (See previous posts about Irma Guzman Eco Jewelry.)
For the gift ideas we’re highlighting for our Green Mother’s Day guide, we’re only selecting items we’d drop hints for ourselves.
The Spring Scarf Collection from Ten Thousand Villages definitely makes the list. We especially love this fresh, feminine scarf, Flowers of the Afternoon, from Asha Handicrafts. In Sanskrit, Asha means “hope.” And they’re spreading hope with the work they do empowering artisans throughout India.
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Pancakes are yummy day or night, and this healthy party theme is a hit for more than just sleepover celebrations.
Anni Daulter is back with another green party theme from her new book, Naturally Fun Parties for Kids. Today we get a peek at an eco-friendly party with flour sack races, and where the main attraction is a huge stack of whole wheat pancakes and lots of healthy toppings.
This idea came to Anni after a friend told her she thought her daughter was too young for a sleepover party. ”I suggested the kids come to a morning party dressed in PJ’s (as if they had spent the night), have pancakes and other morning treats, and enjoy a high-energy gathering, without the sleep deprivation that often comes with a full sleepover party.”
Have Flour Sack Races + Make Healthy Donuts
Every kid loves to race! Line them up and take turns and make sure each child has plenty of hopping room, as to not fall and hurt their racing neighbor. Your mark, get set, GO! The kids love to play this game over and over! No prizes for the winner, just good old fashioned fun! [click to continue…]
"Style Your Spring" Look Book
Ok, here’s what I’m doing as soon as this post goes live…
1. Create a Pinterest Board with an obvious title — something like, “What I Really Want for Mother’s Day.”
2. Pin several pieces of Irma Guzman’s eco jewelry, including the price, since most of what I love is in the $20 to $40 range.
3. Leave my laptop open (to that board) before dinner and ask my husband to look through the pins for a recipe. It’ll take some clicking around for before he realizes that’s not the recipe board…I’ll let you know how it goes 
Our favorite eco jewelry designer, Irma Guzman, has done it again with her newest series of Look Books. She really shows how just one piece of jewelry can add instant, earthy style to an outfit.
This month, Irma is introducing us to the tagua nut. Also known as “vegetable ivory,” it is a seed that comes from the Phytelephas Macrocarpa palm tree that grows in the tropical rainforest of South America. [click to continue…]
Spring Party Setting from Naturally Fun Parties for Kids
Whether your child has a Spring birthday to celebrate… or you want to create an extra special Easter egg dyeing experience, Anni Daulter’s new book, Naturally Fun Parties for Kids, is sure to inspire you with ideas you never considered before. In fact, reading through this book Anni wrote with Heather Fontenot, there are more party themes running through my head than I’ll ever be able to host!
This guide to naturally fun parties is not only beautiful – with original photography by Tnah & Mario Di Donato bringing Anni and Heather’s visions to life – it covers EVERYthing. Each theme includes a timeline for creating the party elements, detailed information on how to make unique invitations, instructions for handmade decorations (using items you have on hand), descriptions for fun activities, and clear recipes for amazing seasonal food.
Anni and Heather really make it easy to host a gathering that looks like Martha Stewart lent a sustainable hand.
The book doesn’t come out until March 21st, so I’m delighted to tell you that Anni has agreed to give our readers a sneak peek by guest authoring a three-part series on her original and brilliant eco-friendly party concepts.
So here’s Anni’s first installment… it’s all about making your Spring or Easter egg dyeing party naturally fun!
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