Earth Day 2012: Try Compostable Diapers

Cloth diapers are the most eco-friendly, but they can be difficult. More power to the mammas who use them. I tried with Scarlett, but with frequent leaking and staining clothes, I eventually gave up. It was never easy or quick to change her and (here's my vanity) I didn't appreciate the extra bulkiness of them.

I struggled, though, because I really really wanted to make an eco-friendly diaper choice. What do the statistics say? Oh yeah, SIX THOUSAND "disposable" diapers PER child end up in landfills FOREVER. Ick!

Luckily, I found a fantastic green alternative: compostable diapers!

They work just like traditional disposable ones, but are fully biodegradable and are made without chemicals, plastic, chlorine, baby seals, etc, etc.

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We have tried a few different brands, and Nature Babycare is the best. The diaper is softer than traditional disposables, fit is great, breathable, made from natural and renewable materials, and can hold Scarlett sleeping 12 hours without a leak.

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 The Nature Babycare tag line is perfectly accurate: go green without giving up performance. 

There is only a small price difference from traditionals, and you can order in bulk from amazon for extra savings. Plus, you have that extra piece of mind for your child and the world (yay!). Nature Babycare products are also sold at stores like Whole Foods and diapers.com. I'm sure you can find some near you!

So this earth day, give compostable diapers a chance!

And let me know if you tried them!

{Another easy change is to use biodegradable wipes. These are usually less expensive or the same price as traditionals.}

Scarlett's spring wardrobe

old navy has been my new shopping vice. i've been there twice in the past 10 days and then today i was totally reeled in with the "come back this date and we'll give you $30 off your purchase" coupon. i'm such a sucker, but look at Scarlett's new spring wardrobe. i love!

rationalizing that now we live in a warm weather climate so it's ok to buy spring/summer clothes in january. it was 72 degrees and sunny today! plus, the outfits are all very mix-and-matchy, so more bang for your buck. two for one deals on the shirts and discounts on the sweaters and shoes. worth it, right? help me out here mammas!

and here's a quick video of Scarlett doing the "trying shoes on shuffle" in the old navy store. she was very entertained and interested in the shoe section for quite some time. "shoo, shoo!" she points and squeals with delight.

Scarlett's new room

Scarlett is loving her new room with new play table (from gram-momo) and new toys (from nana sue). And I'm loving the new toy shelves (from me) to create a little organization in the new room. 

P'kolina chalk board play table and two benches - easily reversible table top with chalk board on one side and white on the other. storage bin for easy place to store crayons, markers, paper, craft things, etc. Scarlett loves sitting on the benches! Thank you gram-momo!

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thank you nana sue for the wooden blocks and toy set, but i don't know what the brand is so i can't give it proper credit right now! Scarlett's been building lots of towers these days.

Tot Tutors toy organizer with storage bins - thank you maux for carrying it out of target for this pregomamma and thank you daddyD for putting it together so quickly. comes in either white wood or natural color and a few different storage bin color combination options. i'm loving it more than one big toy chest because you can keep the blocks together, the musical instruments together; everything has it's spot!

I'm loving Scarlett's new digs and set up. happy to have a wee bit more room for activities and playtime in our new home.

santa's coming! santa's coming!

i'm really excited to be Santa this year. last year Scarlett was pretty oblivious, and this year of course she still doesn't know what Santa or Christmas means, BUT she LOVES playing with toys! and i am super excited about giving her awesome presents this year and even more thrilled to play with the new toys with her. and i feel like i can't stop picking out awesome things that i know she'll love. i can't help myself!

here are a couple things i've purchased Santa's elves have made already...

pacific play tents very hungry caterpillar tent and tunnel

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bought from theminisocial at half price

smart gear balance bike

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bought from zulily at half price

gap deal: ends tonight!

40% off at gap.com!!

ends tonight, tuesday 7/26

{thanks to shelley for the tip}

enter code: GAPLOVE

i LOVE dressing babyScarlett in babygap!

valentine's prezzies

have a friend who is a new mamma? are you a new daddy in need of a valentine's gift? or are you a mamma who wants to buy yourself a pretty prez for being a fantastic mamma?

i love these birthstone necklaces by viv&ingrid 

fellow fantastic mamma, shelley, gave me the june pearl for baby S and had it sent to me before we even came home from the hospital. love it! it came gorgeously gift wrapped from viv&ingrid with a special hand written love note. so many options too. you can pick the single birth stone paillette charm, or birth stone with monogram or even multiple birthstones for those lucky mammas with lotsa babies. i've worn mine every day since. just simple, delicate and perfect. and of course Scarlett loves to play with the charms these days. who wouldn't?

enjoy!

happy valentine's weekend!

new year = expensive year

we all know babies are expensive. but, like, how much are we really talking? you may or may not want to use this baby cost calculator to find out.

in her first year of life

Scarlett Maeve will cost approximately

$17,453

the calculator has included everything from big expenses like six months of childcare and the hundo a month i'm supposedly putting in her college fund to small items like pacifiers and butt paste. it even has guestimates preset for you on common baby costs, and details monthly spending on diapers and food. unfortunately, it doens't include my daily trip to whole foods for who knows what i buy there everyday or my ritualistic latte from starbucks, but i guess its not calculating mamma's bad habits.

of course, we all know a baby's worth is immeasurable, but how much will your baby cost?

there's more

my goodness, there are even more! check out these websites with awesome deals and discounts geared towards mammas {and people who like to buy things for babies}. there are multiple deals to browse and each last a few days. deals usually are for a brand, and then that brand offers a bunch of items super discounted. strollers, clothes for baby, clothes for mamma, toys, your first or next born son, wall art, etc.

zulily

the mini social

mamma saves

y'all've heard of groupon, right?

well, did you know there are similar sites geared towards mammas and babies?


Plum District

         babySTEALS

                            MamaBargains

                       mamapedia

do you know of others? let me know! i heart bargains and deals of all sorts.