If you haven’t heard, fancy-shmancy cupcakes are stealing the hearts of America as we downsize our celebrations with treats that fill us up, not out.

For a growing number of sweet teeth, four bites and one candle do the trick as we replace the wasteful sheet cake of old with an indulgent Red Velvet vegan confection made to order at your chic neighborhood cupcake boutique.

Call it theater in the round for the bakery hound!

The new stars are the vegan assortments  introduced by bakers such as Yummy Cupcakes in …

Tags: baby , birthdays , compost , Conserve , dairy-free , decor , design , gluten-free , Gourtmet cupcakes , green , parties , recycle , showers , special events , sugar-free , vegan , weddings

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Years ago, when I was traveling in Peru, I became enamored with the way Andean women carried their babies – in blankets tied around their backs.

It made so much sense; after all, strollers are heavy, expensive and impossible to push up a mountain trail or crowded cobblestone mercado. The mamachas had their hands free and their young children were safe and secure, held so close to their mother’s body. I vowed then and there that if I ever had children, I’d wear them that way too.

And now …

Tags: attachment parenting , baby , baby carrier , babywearing , child , parent , parenting , sling

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Many moons ago I wrote about an eco-conscious baby product company by the name of ZoLi. Now that I have a little baby of my own I’ve had a chance to try out some of ZoLi’s products and promises, and let me tell you, they deliver.

Health-conscious parents will be happy to know that all ZoLi products are BPA and phthalate-free.  (No endocrine disruptors leaching out of the plastic and into your baby’s body.) And their philosophy extends to their recycled paper and soy ink …

Tags: baby , bottle , child , conscious consumerism , phthalates , phthalates in kid's products , zoli

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Move over, melamine; your infamy as a contaminant in Chinese infant formula is being pushed aside by one that’s made in the USA. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) has found some samples of American brands of infant formula (although they won’t divulge which) are contaminated with perchlorates – which come from rocket fuel.

How, one has to wonder, are perchlorates getting into the formula many people are feeding to their newborn babies? Improper disposal on military bases, rocket test sites and chemical plants can allow …

Tags: baby , chemicals , child , contamination , potable water , water pollution

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The past year has been a bad one for toxic kid’s products, what with lead paint on imported toys and phthalates in plastic toys. For once, Congress has been quick to act.

A new law is set to go in effect on February 10th that will require all products such as toys, backpacks, clothing and other kids’ gear be tested for lead and phthalates in order to be legally sold.

This is a major step towards ensuring non-toxic products for little ones, but there was …

Tags: baby , children , clothing , news , safety , secondhand shopping , sustainable kids clothes

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Have a bun in the oven? Maybe some friends who are expecting? Well, it’s never too early to get that baby started on the path to a green lifestyle. Kistner Supply recently launched three brand new eco-friendly product lines that are sure to make you the sustainable star at any upcoming showers (even your own)! Before that tiny bundle of love enters the world, apply your impeccable taste in decor to the nursery. From the pages of their 100th anniversary edition of …

Tags: artisan , baby , cashmere , eco , green , Kistner Supply , recycled

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A friend of mine wants to keep it hush-hush when her daughter is gifted a hand-me-down dress, as if wearing used garb signifies poverty or shame that might not fly in her affluent social circle.

My friend is a European whose family often struggled to make ends meet. And although she keeps it all in the closet, she accepts these offerings for all of the right reasons: they are clean and usually in perfectly good condition; It’s wasteful to go out and buy a new outfit when you can …

Tags: accessory , baby , dress , family , fashion , handmedowns , outerwear , recycled

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After a morning spent watching National Geographic Carnivore with my 9-year-old future vet (lions preying upon a limping, unsuspecting buffalo), I was happy to encounter this gentle Jungle Friends Mobile in which the only thing eaten is the blankie by the little thumb sucker inhabiting the crib.

I love the laser-cut bamboo plywood figures, which are assembled by a non-profit agency that employs adults with disabilities. $76 at Branch Home. The artwork can enjoy a circle of life after baby. Let it migrate to another space for an exotic …

Tags: baby , bamboo , Branch Home , decor , Jungle Friends , mobile

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I’m tickled pink that the Bay Area company Serena & Lily – which names its collections with offbeat girl and boy names (Maggie, Hazel, Rye, Lulu) -  has now introduced a new organic line, climbing on the green bandwagon and responding to what customers want in the nursery.

“It’s about making healthy, responsible choices for us, our children, for our families, and for the planet,” says the growing home design company. “People need to know the story behind each product – where it comes from, how it’s made and …

Tags: baby , bedding , cotton , design , family , green , home , linens , organic , recycled , Serena & Lily , textiles

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