One in 8 million (via NY Times)

Everyone needs to view this heartwarming story depicted by the NY Times. The photography of Todd Heisler in this story is simply magnificent!

May Wong Lee: The Adoptive Mother
With three biological sons, Ms. Wong Lee and her husband adopted a girl, Mebrat, from Ethiopia, who they thought was 3, but she was a malnourished 6-year-old.

View their life story slideshow here.

If you know a person who lives in the five boroughs of New York City and would have a good story for One in 8 Million contact the NY Times at onein8@nytimes.com.

Joan Walsh Anglund

These here are by famous illustrator Joan Walsh Anglund. I came across these while browsing Sweet Lily Studio's etsy shop. All of them come from a set marketed by Harcourt, Brace and World, Inc. called the Joan Walsh Anglund Sampler. The first two were originally published in 1963 in the book Spring is a New Beginning. The last two were originally published in 1958 in the book A Friend is Someone Who Likes You. What I like most about these is how it depicts the innocence of childhood in a very simple yet classic way. My pick: Spring Imagination.

To find more vintage items for your nursery make sure to check out Sweet Lily Studio!

Designing Moms

Just thought I put in a quick note on here as well... I'm guest blogger all this week over at Designing Moms so go and check me out!!! Main focus: Organization & Color. Don't miss it!

I'm back

Since I'm officially unpacked I can get back to business... but before I do, check out some pictures from my trip. I was not please with the resort however, so I will not speak about my stay (cause if you don't have anything nice to say then don't say anything at all... or something of that nature).

Vacation time!!

I'll be in Puerto Plata, DR from 5/16 to 5/21. So needless to say all my shops are closed until 5/22. Check back to see breathtaking photos from my vaca!

The "Big Read" book!

I've just added my name (#26,761) to the Big Read book to show my support for a good quality, free education for every child, and to ask President Obama to contribute $2 billion to a Global Fund for Education. Please join me by adding your name to the book, as well.

http://www.one.org/us/bigreadpetition/

Together as ONE, we can make a difference!

Endangered Species Day!! (via the ESC)

On May 15th, 2009, America celebrates Endangered Species Day!
Endangered Species Day is a celebration of our nation’s wildlife and wild places. Started in 2006 by the United States Congress, Endangered Species Day is the third Friday of May.

Endangered Species Day Public Service Announcement:

Endangered Species Day is an opportunity for people young and old to learn about the importance of protecting endangered species and everyday actions that people can take to help protect our nation’s disappearing wildlife and last remaining open space. Protecting America’s wildlife and plants today is a legacy we leave to our children and grandchildren, so that all Americans can experience the rich variety of native species that help to define our nation.

Started by the United States Senate, Endangered Species Day is the third Friday in May. Every year, thousands of people throughout the country celebrate Endangered Species Day at parks, wildlife refuges, zoos, aquariums, botanical gardens, libraries, schools and community centers. You can participate in festivals, field trips, park tours, community clean-ups, film showings, classroom presentations, and many other fun and educational activities.

To read complete post head to the Endangered Species Coalition web page.

Dooce

There are some blogs I can say I read daily and others biweekly... The wonderful Heather B. Armstrong @ Dooce happens to be one of my favorite writers and I was super delighted when I read that she was expecting again. I sent over to her a Doves organic onesie from my Nature Collection sometime in April and was surprised to receive this thank you note from her shortly after. If you follow her journey you would know that she just finished her book tour last month and with all that going on she was still kind enough to take the time out to say thank you!

In case you don't know who Heather B. Armstrong is, cause you've been living under a rock, I'll forgive you... Trust me we all need a daily dose of Dooce.

Heather, much love from New York!!!

the brick kiln

I've been finding myself at Etsy a lot lately. In one of the latest finds, a perfect Dad gift! The mom & daughter duo team at the brick kiln pottery shop are responsible for all these very cute but COOL plates. All of their pieces are bisque fired in an electric kiln. They are fired to cone 06 and made of stoneware. If this was too technical don't worry just let the designs speak for themselves! Head on over to their Etsy shop while their is still time. Don't forget Father's Day is June 21st!!

Peekaboo Picks Magazine

Many thanks to Megan & Sunne at Peekaboo Picks for featuring our line today and hosting a great giveaway! To view complete article click here.

Wooly Baby

Wool slippers / booties made from recycled sweaters and recycled leather! Founded and designed by an engineer turned crafter, Wooly Baby uses only recycled materials to help minimize their impact on the earth. They make custom order so if you got a old sweater you want to give a new life to head on over to their Etsy shop & shop!!

Loomstate for Target

I had been meaning to write about this and completely forgotten until today when I came across this billboard in the Houston Street train station (taking the 1 uptown). So here is an eco brand, Loomstate, partnering up with a big chain like Target and a couple of questions come to mind once I see the price range for this limited collection which retails at $14.99 to $44.99.

If you work making clothes for mass America you know volume = lower prices. Furthermore, you also know that making clothes locally will not bring you the same $$ profit that it will if you were making it overseas. Right? right. So how are they achieving these prices when we all know that organic goods are more expensive than non-organic. My guess is that these are being produced overseas with lower quality fabrics... And here is where all the questions come to mind.

What happens to carbon footprint issue? Do we just push that concern aside for the sake of affordability? What about quality? That can be disregarded as well? I do understand we have to start somewhere but seems like now a days people are pushing away from the original concerns that led this whole movement. Years ago if I would have been asked by the eco conservatives where my line was being produced and I would have said overseas the whole issue on carbon foot print along with concerns of sweatshop production would have been thrown in my face I would have been left no press. Now however, seems like its enough with labeling something organic and not bothering with the details.

I haven't seen the line yet so perhaps I am wrong on the quality issue but I'm pretty sure I'm correct on the other. I don't know, but from the pictures it all looks like disposable clothing aka H&M. To check out the collection click on the image above.

Bretttorrium

Thanks to Brett @ Bretttorrium for featuring our line!! Check out the review here.

Indie Design Studio

After several months of focusing on this line I was finally able to break away for a bit to finish my web design page! Indie Design Studio focuses on small green business that need web design but do not have the thousands required by most web designers out there. Although, all of our current clients are eco businesses we do welcome all small businesses. For those non-green businesses we do require a small donation to be made to any charity of your choice, a simply way of paying it forward. Complete web package starts at $700 (check details below). We are holding a Spring sale now until end of June, save *$100 on your web package! Hurry take advantage while it last!!

Start up package includes:

~ 8 web page website
~ logo & identity
~ email set up
~ site integration
~ cross browser compatibility
~ html, css, favicon validation
~ custom page layout
(everything is coded by hand
& is search engine friendly)
~ 1 custom banner (size as requested)
~ 2 print design layouts
(business card, postcard, hangtag
label/sticker, or letterhead)
~ 1 basic flash slideshow “or”
1 basic lightbox slideshow
~ under construction page (if this
is not a redesign job)


*Offer only valid to new customers.

Baby Couture

Friends often laugh when I refer to my single days as my "days of glory when I was young and powerful"... living life responsibly but as freely as possible. Now that I am a parent, life has certainly slowed downed much and any rush is brought on by need as oppose to by choice like back in my days of glory. Seems this happens to the best of us... On the cover of Baby Couture is Chris Cornell, a musician that back is his "days of glory" was held as a rock god. Yes, people THIS is what parenthood does to you!... And yes, this change is good. To view this issue of Baby Couture click here. Now seriously how cute are his kids!!!

Visit Chris Cornell's official site for more on his music, tour, and news!!