All posts by Angelika Arroyo

Printables, Sustainable Parenting

How To Do A Selfie Scavenger Hunt For Birthday Parties: Free Printables Included

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Give Your Teen’s Next Birthday Party An Upgrade With This Fun Selfie Scavenger Hunt!

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Tweens and teens are constantly taking photos of themselves, so why not put this talent to good use by hosting a selfie scavenger hunt at their next birthday party!

How To Do A selfie Scavenger Hunt

To do a selfie scavenger hunt, the participants will need their smart phones or cameras (either digital or polaroid cameras are perfectly fine because we here at Eco Mom Diaries, realize that not all kids are allowed to own a smart phone).

Each participant will also need a scavenger hunt worksheet that lists all of the items they’ll need to find in and around your home.

We’ve created two types of printable worksheets (one for indoor use and one for the backyard), so feel free to use either one—or both!

As each item is located, the participants will take a photo with the item and check it off of the list.

Optional Rules

To make this scavenger hunt a little more challenging, set a time limit. The typical tween will take forever trying to get that “perfect angle” (LOL), so setting a timer will speed things up!

You can also choose to give a prize to the winning participant (like a set of kawaii scrunchies or a cute reusable water bottle)—something that’s trending amongst teen girls these days.

You can tell participants that certain items require a silly face.

How To Download The Free Printable Scavenger Hunt Worksheets

To download the free scavenger hunt worksheets, simply right click the image, and save it to your desktop. You can also click on the image to open it on another tab and print from there.

Have fun, and remember to stay safe if you are doing a scavenger hunt outdoors!

Free Printable Selfie Scavenger Hunt Worksheets

INDOOR EDITION

BACKYARD EDITION

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Printables, Sustainable Parenting

50 Summer Bucket List Ideas For Kids

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50 Fun Screen-Free Summer Activities For Kids

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Your kids have worked super hard all school year, and now it’s time for them to unwind and have some well deserved fun!

For many kids, summer break means spending hours upon hours on an iPad or gaming system, and while a healthy amount of screen time is perfectly ok (hey, I binged on Super Nintendo during summers in the early 90s), it’s equally important to encourage healthy outdoor play, arts and crafts, board games, reading and other activities that help with cognitive development.

With that said, below are 50 fun summer bucket list ideas for kids that encourage connecting with the outdoors, creativity, and family bonding.

I’ve even included a printable worksheet at the very bottom of this article in which your kids can list their top 10 favorite bucket list activities to try each week!

Download And Print the list below!

Fun And Simple Summer Bucket List Ideas For Kids

  • Build a bird house or bird feeder
  • Spend the day at a splash pad
  • Start a YouTube channel
  • Go on a nature scavenger hunt
  • Donate old clothing and toys to a someone in need
  • Redecorate your room
  • Fly a kite
  • Visit your local zoo and pretend you’re on a safari
  • Go on a picnic
  • Do some star gazing in your backyard (use a telescope for extra fun)
  • Plan a trip to the aquarium
  • Go geo-caching
  • Go on a date with mom
  • Build a fort
  • Go see a movie in the movie theater
  • Spend the day at the beach and collect seashells
  • Learn how to make slime
  • Ride a bike
  • Write a story
  • Spend a day at the community swimming pool (or your own)
  • Visit a farm and pick some fruit or vegetables
  • Learn to play an instrument
  • Go camping with friends or family
  • Read a chapter book
  • Camp in the backyard
  • Have a family game night
  • Start a rock collection
  • Visit a National Park
  • Watch fireworks
  • Start a journal or diary
  • Go bowling with your friends or family
  • Have a sidewalk chalk art show
  • Go on a nature walk
  • Plant a vegetable garden
  • Make a lemonade stand
  • Help wash the car
  • Learn Origami
  • Play Mini Golf
  • Build a backyard obstacle course
  • Camp in the living room
  • Go rollerblading
  • Create your own comic book
  • Volunteer at an animal shelter
  • Start a book club

Your child can also create their own bucket list by choosing their top 10 favorite activities from our list above! Feel free to download and print the bucket list worksheet below!

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Printables, Sustainable Parenting

Free Father’s Day Activity Worksheets For Kids

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Free Printable Father’s Day Activity Pages For Kids

This post contains affiliate links which may earn us a commission.

If you’re looking for some last minute activities that your kids can do on Father’s Day, then check out these simple Father’s Day activity worksheets that your kids can do for fun!

These printable Father’s Day themed worksheets can even make wonderful gifts for dad! They can be framed, hung on the fridge, or stapled together and turned into a keepsake!

These worksheets are fun yet simple—perfect for kids around age 7 and up. If you’d like something less challenging for a younger child, check out my free printable Father’s Day coloring pages for the little ones.

How To Print The Free Father’s Day Printables

If you’d like to print these free Father’s Day activity pages, simply click on an image and it will open in another browser. From there, just save it to your computer and print!

And for more fun, head on over to print some FREE Father’s Day Coloring Pages!

Printable Father’s Day Activity Pages For Kids

Father’s Day Word Search

Keep your child busy with this fun Father’s Day word search! Your child must try to find all 15 words related to dad! For an added challenge, set a timer and race against the clock! If there are multiple kids working on this word search puzzle, offer a prize to the person who finishes first!

Dad And I Bucket List

We love this activity sheet because your child can brainstorm 10 activities for a bucket list that they can do with their dad on Father’s Day! It can be things like “playing sports in the backyard” or “going out to our favorite restaurant”. Your child can check off each item that gets accomplished throughout the day!

All About Dad Activity Sheet

This cute little activity page is all about dad! Your child gets to test their knowledge about dad’s favorite things, and can even draw a photo of themselves with their dad! It’s a cute project that can be framed or hung on the fridge!

Father’s Day Maze

Help the dad get to his football in this fun and challenging maze! For added fun, mom can set a timer and your child can race against the clock! If there are multiple kids working on this word search puzzle, offer a prize to the person who finishes first!

Dad Libs

This Father’s Day worksheet is really fun if your child loves Mad Libs! This simple and easy dad version is all about dad’s favorite things and why your child loves him! plus, it’s a great way to practice those nouns, verbs and adjectives!

Father’s Day Gratitude Jar

This is one of our favorite father’s day activity pages because kids get a chance to write down everything that they are thankful for when it comes to dad! Write outside of the jar if you need more space!

Father’s Day Mad Libs: Silly SuperHero Story

Your kids can get as silly as they’d like with this dad libs superhero edition. I originally created this for my 8 year old, and he had a blast filling it out!

Father’s Day Award

Your kids can proudly present dad with a certificate of awesomeness for being the best dad in the world!

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Printables, Sustainable Living, Sustainable Parenting

Father’s Day Coloring Pages: Free Printables

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Surprise Dad With These Fun DIY Coloring Pages For Father’s Day

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Father’s Day is just around the corner, and there’s no better gift than an easy DIY art project that your kids can proudly make for their favorite super hero: dad!

Coloring pages make wonderful gifts for dad! They allow toddlers and little kids to express themselves creatively, and the pages can be framed or turned into a book.

These Father’s Day coloring pages are fun yet simple—perfect for little kids as well as toddlers!

How To Print The Free Father’s Day Printables

If you’d like to print these free Father’s Day coloring pages, simply click on an image and it will open in another browser. From there, just save it to your computer and print! They are pre-formatted to print on a standard 8.5 x 11 inch paper.

I hope that your little ones enjoy these coloring pages, and make it their own! I’m sure their dads will love them too!

Printable Father’s Day Coloring Pages For Kids

Happy Father’s Day

Your little one is dad’s favorite sidekick, so this Father’s Day printable is the perfect picture to color for dad!

My Dad Is Incredible!

Your little one thinks of dad as a Super Hero! And dad will just adore this coloring page!

Nuts About Dad

Your little one is “nuts” about dad, so this Father’s Day printable of two peanuts is the perfect image to color for dad!

Best (Girl) Dad

Your little girl loves her dad, so this Father’s Day printable will make a very sweet gift for dad!

Best (Boy) Dad

Your little guy loves his dad, so this Father’s Day printable will make a very sweet gift for dad!

Coolest Pop Ever

Because there’s no cooler pop in town than dad! Your little one will love coloring this Father’s Day printable!

My Dad Can Fix Anything

It’s true! Dad can fix anything! So this Father’s Day, your little one can color this printable of the best repair man in town!

Reel Cool Dad

If dad loves to fish, then this is a ”reel-ly”fun coloring page to give dad for Father’s Day!

I Dig My Dad

For the construction lover who also loves his dad, this printable coloring page for Father’s Day will make a perfect DIY gift!

Dad, You’re Out Of This World

It’s true! Dad is out of this world! Your little one will love coloring this space astronaut for Father’s Day!

My Dad Rocks

Dad is a rockstar! That’s why this printable coloring page is the perfect gift for your rockin’ dad!

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Eco Baby

5 Best Natural Rubber Pacifiers For Newborns

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The Best Non-Toxic Pacifiers To Safely Help Soothe Baby

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Choosing a pacifier for your baby can be quite confusing—there are just so many out there.

And even if you think you’ve purchased “the one”, your new baby will most likely hate it. It happens, and it’s ok. There will be a lot of trial and error in your motherhood journey.

That’s why I encourage all new moms to introduce a natural rubber pacifier to their babies in lieu of silicone. And there are many reasons for this that just make sense—especially if you are breastfeeding. Let’s look at some below.

How Are Natural Rubber Pacifiers Different From Silicone

Unlike silicone pacifiers, natural rubber pacifiers mimic the shape and softness of a mother’s breast. This flexible and stretchy material creates an easy back-and-forth transition for a breastfed baby.

Natural rubber pacifiers are also eco-friendly, sustainable and biodegradable. They are made with minimal ingredients, and do not require a plastic frame with handle).

With that said, the manufacturing process leaves out parabans, phthalates, BPA, and other unhealthy additives.

How To Sterilize A Natural Rubber Pacifier

Natural rubber pacifiers need to be sterilized like any other pacifier. However, because they are made from natural material, it is best to boil them just once (before initial use) to prevent damage from the high heat.

Future sterilization requires that you put the pacifiers in a bowl, and simply pour boiling water over them. This scalding method is a gentle yet thorough way to kill germs and bacteria without damaging your natural rubber pacifiers.

  • Put the pacifiers in a clean bowl
  • Pour them with boiling water
  • Let the pacifiers soak for approx. 5 min.
  • Pick them up and let them dry

How Often Should I Replace A Natural Rubber Pacifier?

Since natural rubber pacifiers don’t last as long as their silicone competitor, you will need to change your baby’s pacifier every 4-8 weeks.

The nipples of natural rubber pacifiers will eventually expand, change shape and even turn gooey, so it’s very important to have another one on hand, and switch it out as soon as you see this type of wear.

But giving your baby a pacifier that’s safe for both them and the planet is well worth a few new swaps!

With that said, below are 5 most trusted natural rubber pacifier brands that moms and babies love!

The 5 Best Natural Rubber Pacifiers To Help Soothe Your Baby

Brand | BibsUSA

The BIBS natural rubber baby pacifier mimics both the shape and softness of a mothers’ breast. Their classic appearance captures a look that’s both timeless and elegant.  All BIBS pacifiers are made in Denmark from 100% natural latex and are lead and pthalate free.

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Brand | Natursutten

Made from pure, all-natural latex rubber from the Hevea Brasiliense tree, Natursutten natural rubber pacifiers are softer than silicone and are extremely hygienic because they are molded in one piece. By gently touching baby’s nose, Natursutten pacifiers are designed to closely simulate breastfeeding, which provides a more familiar soothing experience for your baby.

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Brand | Hevea

Hevea organic pacifiers are made from 100% natural rubber from HEVEA trees, and feature a silky smooth touch that is gentle on baby’s face and teeth. These eco-friendly pacifiers are completely plant-based and biodegradable at the end of their life, and feature safe, FDA Approved color pigments—it’s actually one of the only colored natural rubber pacifiers on the market!

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Brand | Frigg

FRIGG natural rubber pacifiers are designed and manufactured in Denmark, and each one contains a whimsical design that moms love. The outward curve keeps the pacifier off of baby’s delicate skin, while other features like air holes and a security handle ensure that your little one stays safe.

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Brand | EcoPiggy

EcoPiggy natural pacifiers are sustainably made from 100% natural rubber, and designed in one single-piece. This nontoxic pacifier contains no choking hazards and is BPA, phthalate, PVC, and paraben-free. Plus, they’re hand-inspected and packaged in the USA!

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Eco Baby

Best Non Toxic Bath Toy Brands For Kids

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Eco-Friendly Bath Toys For Safe Sensory Play

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At the end of each day, my kids enjoy a nice warm bath—mainly because they get to play with their favorite bath toys. And mom gets to ask them questions about their day while getting to relax and sit for a while—even if it’s on the toilet lid.

But, it wasn’t until a couple of years ago that I started to swap out plastic bath toys for safer alternatives, so don’t feel bad if you’ve just started doing the same. If it makes you feel better, my kids had McDonald’s Happy Meal toys floating around in their bath water—and I didn’t know any better.

Then one day I read about plastic bath toys and how they leached chemicals in hot water and I decided to throw all of them out, and went shopping for non-toxic alternatives instead.

Why Should I Avoid Plastic Bath Toys?

A majority of plastic bath toys are made from PVC and contain some really toxic hormone disrupting chemicals that aren’t safe for anyone—let alone babies and young children.

When these plastic toys make contact with hot water, they start to leach chemicals like cadmium, lead and pthalates, which young children (especially babies and toddlers) absorb via skin and mouth.

That’s why it’s so important to be mindful and make eco-conscious choices when shopping for bath toys.

Things To Consider When Shopping For Bath Toys

When shopping for eco-friendly bath toys, there are several important things to consider:

  • Avoid toys that contain PVC, Pthalates and BPA (look for the recycling symbol #3 and you’ll know it’s PVC)
  • Choose toys made from natural rubber, food-grade silicone, stainless steel or wood.
  • Choose toys with sealed holes to prevent the accumulation of stagnant water and saliva which results in mold.

With that said, it’s time to ditch the plastic bath toys, and start using non-toxic and eco-friendly alternatives instead!

And to help you find a true non-toxic bath toy, I’ve put together a list of green brands that make some of the cutest ones, so that your little ones can enjoy some safe sensory play!

Best Non-Toxic Bath Toy Brands

Caaocho Natural Rubber Bath Toys

YouTube: Caaocho Bath Toys

The super adorable and environmentally friendly bath toys by Caaocho are made from 100% pure natural rubber, and have a sealed hole which prevents the accumulation of stagnant water and saliva. You’ll also be happy to know that these toys are coated with non-toxic food grade paint, and contain fun textures for little mouths to explore. We are especially in love with the little sea turtle and flounder!

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Plan Toys Wooden Bath Toys

YouTube: PlanToys

PlanToys is a sustainable toy brand that makes adorable wooden toys and bath toys made from chemical free, kiln-dried recycled rubber wood that are designed with water based non-toxic colors as accent. Eco Mom Diaries loves all of the fun boat designs that can kids can use in the bath and swimming pool.

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Tikiri Ocean Buddies

YouTube: Tikiri Ocean Buddies

The Tikiri Ocean Buddies are made from all-natural rubber, and each character is easy for tiny hands to grip. When shaken, it responds with a gentle sound that is sure to comfort your little ones, because each bath toy contains a built in rattle to stimulate your little one while they’re in the bath!

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Green Toys Recycled Plastic Bath Toys

YouTube: GreenToys

Green Toys makes some eco-awesome bath toys that keep kids entertained while keeping them safe from toxins. Eco Mom Diaries loves the fact that all Green Toys are made from recycled milk jugs and are manufactured in the USA with a tight, local supply chain that minimizes the carbon footprint and supports the domestic economy!

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HoneySticks

Honeysticks Bath Crayons

The Honeysticks Bath Crayons are a great choice for your little one’s bath time because they’re made from a beeswax and soy wax blend with food-grade color pigments! Eco Mom Diaries loves that these non-toxic bath crayons are also fragrance-free and the wrappers are completely biodegradable! The con? All bath crayons are a pain in the butt to clean no matter how environmentally friendly the ingredients are! However, if you don’t mind doing a little scrubbing, then this brand is your go-to.

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Sophie La Girafe Natural Rubber Bath Toy

Sophie La Giraffe is made from eco-friendly and non-toxic natural rubber. This adorable bath toy features a variety of soft textures and angles for baby to chew on, and does not contain any holes. The great thing about this particular bath toy is that it can be used in and out of the bath—especially if your little one is teething!

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Hevea Natural Rubber Bath Toys

YouTube: Hevea Ocean Bath Toys

Hevea eco-friendly bath toys are made from 100% natural rubber from HEVEA trees, and have a silky smooth touch that is gentle on baby’s face and teeth, but resistant to bites. Eco Mom Diaries loves that all Hevea bath toys are completely plant-based and biodegradable at the end of their life, and feature chemical-free FDA-Approved color pigments. Choose from whales, natural rubber duckies and more!

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Oli And Carol Natural Rubber Bath Toys

These adorable and eco-friendly origami bath boats are made of natural rubber from Malaysian Hevea trees, and hand painted with food graded dyes—safe for teething and tub time! We at Eco Mom Diaries especially love the minimalist-style origami design.

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Eco Gift Ideas, Sustainable Living

Best Eco-Friendly Mother’s Day Gifts For 2022

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Celebrate Mom With These Eco-Friendly Gift Ideas!

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If you’re shopping for the eco-conscious mama in your life, then you’re going to love this Eco Mom Diaries sustainable gift guide made especially for Mother’s Day!

What Makes These Mother’s Day Gifts Eco-Friendly?

When I shop for a sustainable and environmentally friendly Mother’s Day gift, I look for items that are ethically made, and will last a very long time—and if the item is sentimental, that’s even better!

Mother’s Day is such a special holiday devoted to the women who love us unconditionally, so when it comes to eco-friendly gifts, I advise you to skip the reusable paper towels (and similar items) and go for something sentimental or self-care related (you want the gift to be for her and not for the household).

With that said, below are several hand-picked eco-friendly gift ideas for mom that she’ll love, appreciate and actually use!

This sustainable Mother’s Day gift list consists of cruelty-free makeup, organic skincare products, ethical fashion and sentimental keepsakes that are compostable!

Sustainable Mother’s Day Gift Ideas

YouTube | Forever Zwai

Hand-Made Chocolate Covered Strawberries

Hand-made gifts—especially if they involve food, are the best type of gifts!! This year, I am including hand-made chocolate covered strawberries as part of my gift for mom! And I found literally the BEST tutorial by lovely YouTuber Forvever Zwai!

Let’s Face It Skincare Bundle From Upcircle Beauty

Mom will love this all-natural skincare bundle by Upcircle Beauty which uses repurposed ingredients in all of their products! This bundle includes essential skincare must-haves like a face scrub, moisturizer, balm, serum and mask.

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Parent-Themed Ceramic Planter

I really love this planter by MsRight because it displays a mom holding an umbrella over her child while she gets rained on. It’s a great way to show mom that you value her and that you appreciate all of her sacrifices throughout the years. This planter is also ceramic while the base is made from sustainable bamboo—a lovely eco-friendly mother’s day gift!

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Vegan Beauty Subscription Box

Mom deserves to feel beautiful with some cruelty-free and vegan makeup! The Beauty Box by Bombay & Cedar is a clean, non-toxic skincare and makeup subscription box featuring vegan and cruelty free full size and deluxe size beauty products. Choose either a one month subscription or treat mom to more! It’s so fun to unbox and mom will love it!

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OakiWay Ceramic Candle Holder

This ceramic candle holder by OakiWay is such a beautiful and sustainable mother’s day gift from daughter to mom—and it doesn’t matter what age you are because you’ll always be her little girl!

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Gemstone Eye Mask By GingerChi

This gemstone eye mask by GingerChi (made from jade) is a cool new way to destress and de-puff those tired eyes! That’s why this is such an awesome self-care gift for mom on Mother’s Day!

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A Wicker Picnic Set (And Take Her Out For A Picnic!)

Many moms (including myself) love to just spend good ole’ quality time with the kids. So a picnic set is a wonderful gift to give mom for Mother’s Day. And to make it even more special, fill it with all of her favorite snacks and goodies, and take her on a picnic!

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Vegan Leather Handbag From Sinbono

If mom is in need of a new purse, check out all of the beautiful vegan purses at Sinbono—a cruelty free handbag brand that’s sure to make mom excited! Sinbono is currently running a 20% off deal for Mother’s Day if you use promo code MOTHER—so hurry before your favorite pick is gone!

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Mom-Themed Electric Wax Warmer

You could give mom a candle, but that’ll burn out after a few hours and the glass jar will most likely be thrown out. That’s why I love wax warmers because they’re healthier, and there are no flames involved. This one by Elanze Desgns is designed especially for mom!

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Bamboo Waffle Bathrobe

Every woman needs a high quality bathrobe, and the bamboo waffle bathrobe by Ettitude makes a fantastic gift! The bamboo fabric is breathable, naturally bacteria-resistant, and hypoallergenic—making it perfect for the mama with sensitive skin. EarthHero is currently doing a promotion that gives you 15% off during EarthMonth! So use promo code EARTHMONTH15 and snag this awesome bathrobe for mom early!

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Solid Wood Bookmarks

If mom is a book lover, then consider getting her a wooden bookmark set for Mother’s Day. These beautiful feather-shaped bookmarks are multi-colored, and mom can use them in several books.

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Women’s Vegan Sneakers By Saola

Suprise mom with some new vegan shoes this Mother’s Day! She will be the only girl in town with a pair of really cute shoes made from recycled plastic bottles, algae foam and natural cork! Saola is one of my favorite sustainable shoe brands, and I promise, mom will love how comfortable they are!

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Organic Coffee & Cocoa Bath And Body Gift Box

Apple Valley Natural Soap makes the best hand-made organic skincare products—including decadent zero-waste shampoo bars! Their gift boxes sell pretty quickly, so snag one today! And don’t be shy, get some shampoo bar samples for yourself while you’re there!

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Boody Bamboo Viscose Leggings

Mom will feel stylish and ultra cool in these bamboo viscose leggings by Boody. I definitely want a pair! Leggings are super comfortable and timeless—and if they’re made from bamboo, then they’re sustainable too!

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Bamboo Bathtub Tray Caddy

As a woman and mom who has never owned a bathtub tray caddy, I have to say that I really, really want one—and I hope that this is the year that I get one! With that said, women love taking baths as part of their self care routine, and these are an awesome and practical gift that make a really appreciated Mother’s Day gift!

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Organic Eye Makeup Kit By Elate Cosmetics

Mom will love this ethically made eye makeup kit by Elate Cosmetics made with all-organic ingredients. They’ll give her a flawless day to night look, and she’ll feel great knowing that the containers are compostable!

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Kyrgies—All Natural Wool Slip Ons

Treat mom to some hand-made comfort! Kyrgies are made from all-natural wool and have ultra comfortable soles! Designed to be warm in the winter and cool in the summer, these wool house slippers reflect a blend of durability and a refined style honed by Kyrgyzstan’s wool artisans over generations. It’s a Mother’s Day gift she’ll love!

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Zero Waste Lunch Kit By Earth Hero

If mom is in need of new lunch gear for work, then check out Earth Hero’s carefully curated zero waste lunch kit! It contains everything you need to pack a sustainable lunch!

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Health & Beauty, Sustainable Living

How Your Used Mascara Wands Can Help Save Wildlife

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Check Out How This Non-Profit Organization Repurposes Discarded Mascara Wands

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Did you know that your used mascara wand can help save small wildlife? Read on to find out how!

Wands For Wildlife—a non-profit organization based in North Carolina, is asking for your used mascara wands to help treat injured wildlife.

Why mascara wands? Because the tiny and compact bristles are the perfect size for removing stuff like fleas, ticks and other debris from the fur of small critters and wings of injured birds.

“Because the bristles of a mascara brush are so close together, it basically works really well to groom through the fur and through the feathers”.

📸: Wands For Wildlife

Wands For Wildlife began as a program at the Appalachian Wildlife Refuge, but has since become a separate organization due to its success.

“The initiative grew and expanded to share wands with other wildlife rehabilitators across the state of North Carolina. After three years, it became clear that the program was beyond the mission of Appalachian Wild’s focus on injured and orphaned wildlife in Western North Carolina”.

📸 : Wands For Wildlife

Donating used mascara wands to help injured and orphaned wildlife is such an awesome way to repurpose plastic that would otherwise end up in a landfill.

And if you’re someone who does not wear makeup, you can always collect mascara wands from family, friends, and co-workers, who will be more than ecstatic to pitch in!

April happens to be Wandraiser Month for Wands For Wildlife, so if you’d like to donate a wand or two, ​click here to find out more and take action to help wildlife!

YouTube | Appalachian Wildlife Rescue | Wands For Wildlife

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Eco Baby

The Cutest Animal Themed Newborn Photoshoot Outfit Ideas

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The Cutest Baby Animal Themed Crochet Outfits For Your Newborn Baby’s First Photoshoot

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Giving birth to a baby is a huge milestone that deserves some documenting via newborn photographs!

Newborn photography is a lot of fun, and there are many themes to consider when choosing outfits for your baby.

The baby-animal theme is an all-time favorite photoshoot idea for many parents. I mean, can you think of anything more adorable than dressing up your tiny human in a crochet baby-animal costume?

Whether you’re planning on doing a professional newborn photoshoot, or just want to snap some amateur photos at home with your smartphone, newborn photoshoot outfits will make these memories even more awesome-er.

With that said, I’ve put together some of my favorite animal-themed newborn photoshoot outfit ideas that are perfect for professional and at-home photography sessions!

The Most Adorable Animal-Themed Newborn Photoshoot Outfit Ideas

Puppy

Brand | Zeroest

This adorable hand-knit puppy outfit is an adorable choice for a newborn photoshoot and consists of a hat and booties. It’s also gender neutral, and can easily go with any background color.

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Baby Lion

Brand | M&G House

This hand-made lion costume comes with a hat and super soft cotton knit bodysuit. It’s perfect for both an indoor and outdoor setting and will keep your baby nice and cozy!

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Baby Bear

Brand | Vemonllas

If you want your photograph to look super professional, you can’t go wrong with a stretchy wrap blanket and teddy bear hat! This newborn photoshoot outfit literally turns your baby into a tiny ball of cuteness!

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Baby Cow

Brand | Zeroest

This baby cow costume just makes you smile! It’s perfect for both an indoor and an outdoor photoshoot (especially in the spring or summer with luscious green grass all around).

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Baby Mouse

Brand | Wallfire

This 3-piece newborn photoshoot outfit comes with a hat, a romper and a little plush mouse. This combo is also available in several colors, and makes a very sweet photo!

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Baby Elephant

Brand | Vedory

This super cute crochet elephant outfit is available for both a boy and a girl. The girl version has a pink bow on the hat, while the boy has a fun little fringe. It’s a very sweet outfit and looks very adorable in newborn photos.

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Baby Rabbit

Brand | M&G House

This crochet baby rabbit outfit is especially perfect for spring! It comes with a hat, a bottom and a fun knit carrot prop that baby can hold on to! You will have one cute Easter bunny!

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Baby Lady Bug

Brand | Matissa

I am loving this crochet lady bug outfit! It’s perfect for both an indoor and outdoor photoshoot and the red bottoms really pop in photos!

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Baby Turtle

Brand | Bluetop

Are you ready to photograph the most adorable little ninja turtle? This cute newborn outfit includes a hat and knit turtle shell.

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Baby Penguin

Brand | Vemonllas

This adorable penguin outfit consists of a hat and knit sleeping bag that turns your little bundle of joy into an adorable tiny ball. It’s perhaps the most adorable outfit on this list!

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Baby Lamb

Brand | Pinbo

This adorable lamb costume consists of a beanie and knit lamb toy. Though this photoshoot outfit doesn’t come with a wrap, it looks adorable with just about any kind of covering—even bare bottom!

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pregnancy

How To Prevent Stretch Marks During Pregnancy

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Tips To Prevent And Minimize The Appearance Of Pregnancy Stretch Marks

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“Are Pregnancy Stretch Marks Preventable?”

Whether you’re planning on getting pregnant, or you’re in your first trimester, one of your biggest worries is getting those dreaded pregnancy stretch marks—and you research like crazy to see if there are ways to prevent or even just minimize them.

The answer to your question is that in some cases of women they can be completely prevented, and in others they cannot be 100% prevented—BUT, they can definitely be minimized to the point where they will fade fairly quickly after you have your baby.

The key to preventing pregnancy stretch marks (which can emerge anywhere between 13-22 weeks) is to stick to a skincare routine that you follow religiously!


When I was pregnant with my first baby, I was really nervous about getting stretch marks on my belly, especially since I was prone to getting them around my hips and thigh area during my teen years. And if I knew back then what I know now, I could have prevented those as well.

So, during my first trimester, I researched ways to prevent pregnancy stretch marks, by learning about the skin itself. And what I learned was really eye opening. For example, did you know that our skin naturally exfoliates itself every 28 days? Or that stress triggers cortisol resulting in a breakdown of collagen? Interesting stuff.

With that said, taking care of your skin is a lot of work. It’s more than just slathering on some cocoa butter and staying hydrated. Mental health plays a big role as well.

After doing my research, I created a skin care routine for myself during both pregnancies that I swear by.

It helped prevent stretch marks both times, and those that appeared in places other than my belly (like hips and breasts faded in no time).

Below I’m going to share with you my habits and pregnancy-safe skin care routine that I used throughout both pregnancies to prevent stretch marks.

Skincare Routine To Prevent & Minimize Pregnancy Stretch Marks

Exfoliate With A Sugar Scrub

Exfoliating the skin of your pregnant belly is a very important step in your stretch mark prevention routine.

Pregnant bellies stretch, and because of that, your skin gets irritated, itchy and flakey! So prior to whatever moisturizer you’re going to put on your skin, give it a gentle scrub in the shower with something as simple as a home-made brown sugar, coffee scrub, or even a store-bought apricot scrub like St. Ives. I used both, and loved how smooth my skin would feel after each shower.

Gentle exfoliation helps shed dead skin cells, and helps your skin absorb moisturizing skin care products (which we will discuss next).

Choose Serums Over Stretch Mark Prevention Creams

The harsh truth about pregnancy prevention creams is that many are ineffective, and a complete waste of money. Here’s why:

Butters and thick moisturizers don’t penetrate the skin, so you’re going to have a product that’s just sitting on top of your skin like icing on a cake—meanwhile your skin cells below the surface continue to stretch. Now, don’t discredit body butters altogether, because they are still great to use for the top layer to prevent the itch and dry flakes.

Expensive pregnancy prevention creams don’t work that well either because although they do penetrate the skin, they only go around and in between your skin cells, which also doesn’t help to stretch and expand the cells. Plus, many stretch mark creams contain unhealthy ingredients that may not be safe.

Ok, So What The Heck Do I Use?

What you need is SERUMS. Go online and order yourself a good organic vitamin E and vitamin C serum and use them together DAILY! These oils are pregnancy safe, and you don’t need a fancy brand—just as long as it’s organic.

Serums penetrate the skin, and actually go into your skin cells, which facilitate stretching and help skin expansion which prevents stretch marks.

Hence, after you exfoliate, massage in your serums, let them dry, and lock them in using a good cocoa butter. I used Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Tummy Butter—the one that comes in a small tub. It smells great, and it really helped control the flaking and itchiness.

Wear A Pregnancy Wrap To Lock In The Moisture

Consider wearing a stretchy and breathable support wrap to lock in moisture after applying your serums and butters—like the Belly Boost Pregnancy Support Wrap by Belly Bandit.

Wearing a belly wrap helped my serums and tummy butter last longer throughout the day, and kept my skin hydrated at night as well.

Plus, wraps help keep the oily serums and skincare products from soaking into and ruining your maternity clothing. So that’s something to definitely consider.

Implement Collagen Supplements Into Your Diet

While you should always check with your doctor when starting a new supplement, collagen supplements are considered safe during pregnancy, and I’ve personally taken collagen supplements with both of my pregnancies.

Collagen is the most abundant protein in your body, and it’s responsible for the elasticity in your skin. However, when you’re pregnant and food aversions start to become a reality, it’s hard to get a good amount of collagen into your body through food alone—that’s why collagen supplements are so beneficial.

Collagen supplements are available in both powder and pill form, and either one is fine to take—it’s all about preference. I don’t mind swallowing big pills, so I took the YouTheory Collagen pills with added vitamin C. I still take them to this day as part of my anti-aging routine.

Stay Hydrated, Exercise, And Practice That Self Care

Lastly, (and these are the no-brainers) remember to drink your water, engage in some light-moderate exercise and practice some self care.

One of my favorite ways to unwind and relax during my entire pregnancy was to lay down and listen to some ASMR, which stands for autonomous sensory meridian response.

There are many YouTube videos with creative ASMR sounds that make you feel an incredibly relaxing and sedative sensation which begins on the scalp and moves down the body. This sensation naturally produces oxytocin which prevents stress and the breakdown of collagen that we discussed earlier in this article.

I wish you the best of luck on your pregnancy journey, and I hope that these stretch mark prevention tips will work great for you! Come back and let us know in the comments!

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