Mommy & Toddler Favourites for DECEMBER

Hello All! I wanted to get this out quickly mid month so perhaps it could inspire you for some gift giving ideas - Ill be doing a separate post for gift ideas for littles but here are a few quick ideas, enjoy and happy shopping!!!! 

I'm loving these products this month and they are also especially festive and would make great treats for any momma or toddler in the family. 

Here we go... 

Frosted Plum Body Butter from Body Shop

This first item is a new-found-find, only around for a limited time! Body Shop got me with this light and delightful scented body butter for the holidays. Its fresh and feminine, fruity and fun. And BONUS they have an amazing sale going on now and apparently this amazing scent now comes in just about everything from bath fizzies to room spray... dance on sugar plums, dance on!!!! 

Purdy's Himalayan Pink Sea Salt Caramels

These inch by inch salted sweeties are divine! I recently shared them with a friend and immediately had to take her to buy some ;) good thing they come in boxes of 20- or i could really over indulge- lol.

These come in milk and dark chocolate not to discriminate and choosing between the two is really like having to choose between the Hemsworth brothers... also great gift idea for just about anyone on your list! 

Lush's 'Ultrabland' facial cleanser

Next product for momma is this luxurious and creamy facial cleanser from Lush. Of course almost everything this place pumps out is amaze balls- but this face wash really is that good. 

It comes in a bucket and is like a modern day cold cream- it removes makeup, cleanses, moisturizes and soothes the skin.. just apply as much as you like- rub it in, leave to sit (like a sweet cocoon for your face) and wipe off with a hot towel.. mini facial! a little pricey for the bucket but i don't use it as an everyday cleanser just a treat once a week. 

Its great for any skin type - so another great pampering gift, give it with some super soft face towels for a quick and simple gift! 

'A Very Marley Christmas' by Josh Grogan

My little guy has really been loving this book as we are getting into the Christmas spirit! 

Its funny and light and it helps that we have our own real life Marley in the house! 

I change the word Marley to 'Wheelie' our dogs name and my little guy laughs at all the mischief that silly pup gets into. Yup its the same Marley from the tear jerking 'Marley & Me' Movie.. no tears here- just great illustrations and fun storyline! 

  

Adventure Play sets

If you have a little girl or boy around 2-3 years of age- this toy is a hit and i love that they make a girl version too! Im going to do a separate post on gift giving for kids but this has been a favourite. 

These ones are from Cabela's but my little guy is blessed to have one from Bass Pro too. They have so many fun pieces and they can use their imagination to play for hours!! If your family is the outdoorsy type- your little will extra enjoy this! 

Gingerbread Bear Paws

I don't think i know a kid that doesn't like these soft cookie treats- this gingerbread seasonal flavour is a nice change. Don't you get sick of having the same goodies for your kids all year!?! 

This is just like the usual with a mild gingerbread flavour. These of course aren't as good as homemade- but sometimes a mommas gotta have a packaged snack at the ready! These are going in our holiday arsenal and maybe the stocking too! 

Thats it for now- a few quick items topping our everyday list, its the little things.. stay tuned for a gift list for toddlers and under. Have a safe and blessed December! 

home sweet home

well.. i feel inspired to start caring more about the world I'm living in. Why does this sound so harsh to say?? 
i suppose I'm just a sheep in the heard of carelessness and chemical waste when it comes to this sort of thing and having a legacy naping in the next room really does make the future of our earth, the wellbeing of his generation at the forefront of my mind..

its not that i have been carelessly littering and watering my lawn for days but i have been neglegent about my recycling duties, the chemicals i use to clean my home (mostly cause those chemicals are so budget friendly) and obviously there is so many more little things i can change and teach my little about preserving our resources and being environmentally friendly and to top that- a conscious consumer.

so here i am finding myself at a bend in the road - a road trip with jessica alba & al gore.

it seems daunting to do a total overhaul and although i have ambitious plans about being that old 'earthy' chick with long white hair, growing a sustainable garden, smelling sweet like lavender and not wearing shoes- i suppose that story starts here, one change at a time. i already have birkenstocks. its a start.

i grow herbs, i make my detergents and i know how beneficial oils are but perhaps its time to get a compost bin, make more of an effort to recycle (almost) everything and make educated and slightly more expensive yet healthier product purchases. I just might make a leap from disposable diapers (we only use them in the evening anyway) and read ingredients in my floor cleaner.

i have innocently or not so innocently been nieve to my personal impact on the environment- but as a dear (and environmentally conscious friend) mentioned- it starts with one person, much like many of the amazing stories of transformation- it often begins with one person and one idea. I was faulty in believing i can't change anything- "if Vegas doesn't recycle- there is no hope for the rest of us.."
Shame on me, small things do add up and i am hopeful i can make a difference and of course wanting to impose these principles to the next generation- it is their world, my sons world after all ...

funny-Isn't that just a mothers way- we bend over backwards and stride to do the right thing all in the name of our children. we do things for them that we wouldn't dream of doing for ourselves- perhaps thats love. 
When the future of my child's deteriorating earth is sitting before me looking messy, chaotic and lacking its environmental resources- hurt from the years of uneducated purchases and massive consumption, my heart aches as our afflictions will be the problem of our children. It just doesn't seem fair to wait another day to make a change.. 

Earth in its glory is humbling, remarkably beautiful- its swirling scope of blues and greens accented with whispers of white, its a stunning and amazing place to call home. 
From the images of NASA and google and it seems a foreign dream, too beautiful to be called our own but we are the caretakers- blessed to be entrusted with such a gem. its a huge responsibility I'm going to take accountability on my part- i suppose i am late to the table and have a long way to go but I'm going to take my own responsibility to create a cleaner home, healthier home, make more conscious decisions and try to create a safer and cleaner piece of earth- for me and you and our children. I will do what i can in my own small way and someday, hopefully, my little and his littles will progress with the same determination and responsibility and in turn-we can make a large impact together..

We are all earth neighbours, our world does so much to divide us, but being an avid documentary watcher, i remember a piece of text i heard on the NASA documentary. I believe it was about an astronaut admiring the earth from above, he said: if everyone could just see how remarkable and fragile our planet really is, we could let it unite us and not divide us (thats a whole other bag of tricks) but in that is so much truth. 

So here lies the call to action, the commitment to making a small difference and to be healthier, wiser and more conscious. Plan of action time, i will follow up with a part 2 on greener changes and alterations... 

Stay tuned...