Go on, indulge your inner Hallmark…and tell your kid they ROCK! http://bit.ly/aISeuv

So I am not one for spending hours in the greeting card aisle searching for the PERFECT card for each occasion, but I am a huge fan of encouraging kids and telling them they are great, which is why I love the new Hallmark campaign. Contrary to some parenting tips and guidelines, I love being able to provide self confidence to someone just by telling them I think they are great, and lets be honest, kids are really the only people still innocent and humble enough to take these signs of affection and truly make themselves feel more capable, more intelligent, more beautiful and more proud of who they are and who they can become. Maybe this comes from how my mom raised me…I had notes in my lunch all the way through high school….and, oh yes, I definitely hid those notes in fear that someone would see that little sign of affection from my mom and any coolness factor that I had built up through the years would go right into the trash with the rest of my lunch sack…but really, those notes are one of my fondest memories of being a kid. I was reminded EVERY day that I was loved, even if I was just told in the car on the way to school that I must have had a “sass pill” for breakfast and to rearrange my attitude very quickly or the weekend would be a very dull one for me, sitting in my room. Those little notes- that often times just said “Love you Annie T!!!” gave me confidence, even in the wake of tough high school cliques and drama. So, I say, find your inner Hallmark…whether it be through a greeting card, hand written note, scribbled napkin or quick text…tell your little one they rock. After all, its you that they want to impress more than anyone….whether they admit it or not.

Friday favorites…the Orbit travel system! Find out more about why we love Orbit and it’s sleek simplicity on our… http://bit.ly/brIKx2

That’s right. I am a HUGE fan of the Orbit stroller (as you may already know from my list of favorites on the healthy bitch daily’s “Bitches We Love”). As I have been packing up for a little family roadtrip this weekend, I thought it only completely fitting to blog about one of my favorite travel companions- the orbit stroller and car seat. Since my son was born, we have grown with the Orbit. He came home from the hospital in the mocha car seat (so styling already), and transitioned into that gorgeous bassinet for naps and even night time sleeping. We would then click the bassinet right on to the stroller base (all the pieces work together you see, so the car seat can click into the car seat base in the car, or the stroller base- the bassinet can click into the rocker base or the stroller base…), and walk him a few blocks down to friends houses for dinner, up over the hill to the strand to see and hear and breath the ocean in, or even around the house on nights where sleep was not coming so easily for the little man. He eventually (at 10 weeks) grew too big for the bassinet and was ready for his crib…but his car seat (clicked into the stroller base) still worked perfectly for walks into town, nights out to dinner (where we simply un-clicked him from the car seat base and brought him into the restaurant with us- never waking or stirring his sweet little sleep), and of course driving around. I loved how there was a built in sun and wind shade that would snap down around the sides our little man had complete privacy while sleeping. It’s SO easy and convenient, stylish, safe and truly perfect for our lifestyle (which is a bit on the go). We even took the Orbit on a plane for the first time when we headed to Cabo last June. Again, super easy to wheel him through the airport in his stroller/carseat- click off the seat when you get to security and send the two pieces through seperately (baby will come with you through the metal detector- and oh yes, no shoes for babies either so make sure you travel with slip ons), then back together in a snap, and off we go wheeling to the gate! For that flight we even brought the seat on the plane (it wasn’t a very full flight so the flight attendants let us buckle it right into the seat next to us, and he slept nearly the whole way!). As Jack got bigger, and I got more ready to really start running again, we did invest in a BOB for around town walks and runs. But the Orbit toddler car seat sits in our car as does the stroller base. (the BOB is WAY too bulky and awkward to take in and out of the car if you ask me). The Orbit toddler seat/stroller is what we use when we head off for errands in the car… to the farmers market, to the mall etc. Still super easy to use (a bit more heavy now with 22lbs of child in that luxurious seat), but never the less, convenient and practical and did I already mention really good looking? And of course we love the Orbit even more because they strive to offer not only the safest, most functional and best looking products, but they are also green in the process. Their micro-fiber upholstery fabric of all Orbit seats is certified by the International Oeko-Tex® Association, a Europe-based institution founded to guarantee confidence in textiles. Also, all Orbit Baby products meet all applicable flame retardancy standards without potentially harmful chemicals. They use PVC free materials for their rain shields and their breakthrough OrganicFR™ fabric offers the comfort of wrapping your baby in organic cotton, while still providing the safety of federal flame retardancy (FR) standards. They also give back to several charities, fund sustainable energy projects such as Climate Care and ensure recycling and eco friendly materials are used where possible at their headquarters in Northern CA. Need we say more?

And just recently added to the family is the Orbit G2…

Another favorite new item at Bloumebaby.com…layer over skinny jeans or leggings or wear it as is! Anyway you… http://bit.ly/btJyzc

This just in…ADORABLE dresses by Go Gently Baby! http://bit.ly/dwm0Cv

Is there anything better than cashmere?? how about organic, washable cashmere… http://bit.ly/dA2xD2

You just can’t deny the amazingly soft, breathable, luxurious characteristics of cashmere. The most perfect fabric for transitional seasons, it offers comfort, functionality and total indulgence…all in one. That’s why I am CRAZY for it year round, and loving the cashmere sweaters by Oscar and Belle  and the cashmere blankets Dwell Studio. My son especially loves his Helicopter blanket by Dwell…he naps with it and it is our “go to” blanket for trips since it works so well in cool and moderate weather, AND it’s machine washable!!!  Not to mention it’s pretty darn good looking too.

Oh, and for special occasions (birthday parties, occasional nice dinners with the family or friends etc..) I spruce him up in a cashmere sweater from Oscar and Belle. I love to pair this classic look with cargos or even distressed demin jeans (very jcrew I know). Yes, I know, cashmere for a baby sounds over the top, indulgent, maybe even silly- but when you consider their comfort, protecting their soft and delicate skin, the flexibility with cashmere and of course the sheer good looks of it, how can you resist?

Start your own organic herb garden at home…it’s easier then you think! http://bit.ly/a8PUdy

It’s surprisingly easy to get your own bumper crop of herbs going in your backyard, porch, windowsill or even kitchen counter. Herbs are remarkably tolerant to people with brown thumbs, like me, and produce not only a delicious, organic treat, but also add a clean and refreshing smell to your home. There are a few things that herbs MUST have….sunlight, lots of water and good water drainage. Other than that, they are pretty much fool proof. Start with organic seeds, of course. My favorites to grow are basil (so yummy on pasta or with fresh mozzarella and tomato- and the key ingredient in pesto!!), chives (which add great flavor to potatoes, salad or any casserole dish), and Sage (which is easy to grow and perfect for roasted chicken or home made soups).

These are just a few…but to learn more about getting your own garden up and running, check out these great sites!
backyardgardener.com
herbgardeningtips.com
organicgardentip.com