Special Beginnings Birth and Women’s Center will host its fall Natural Baby and Child Fair, Sunday, November 16 from 10 am to 4 pm. Local vendors will be on hand to offer their goods, just in time for the holiday season. Â It’s also a great opportunity to check out Special Beginnings and its array of services.Â
The current list of vendors includes:
- Alyhas Alternatives
- Birth Diva
- Kaylala
- Usborne Books at Home
- P&D Woodcrafts Etc.Â
- Bediboo
- Daniel Creations
- La Leche League
- Music Together Chesapeake
- Peechee Neric Â
You’ll be able to find the following products and services:
- Wooden Toys
- BabyLegs
- Great Books for Kids
- Natural, Handmade Body Care Products
- Cloth Diapers
- Baby Carriers
- Breastfeeding Supplies
- Bellycasting Kits
- Doula Services
- Bradley Childbirth Classes
- Pregnancy and Birth Photography
- Soft Organic Toys
- Music for Young Children
- Seated Massage
Don’t forget to visit the Special Beginnings Breastfeeding Boutique, which will be open during the Fair!  There will be boxes at the door for donations to Arden House, a domestic violence shelter for women and their children. Items needed include new clothes, toiletries, pantry items, new toys, gift cards, etc.
Â
Special Beginnings is located at 1454 Baltimore Annapolis Blvd, Arnold, MD Â 21012.
For more information, contact naturalbabyfair@yahoo.com. ]]>
When mommy is sick, well…too bad! There are no breaks with this job and it can be brutal if you are not on top of your game. But, there are few little things that can help if you come down with something. I encourage you to stock up now on these essentials so you are able to help yourself when that cold hits.
1. Rainbow Light’s Get Well Soon – where have you been all my life?! It usually best to take this one as soon as you feel any symptoms and it can stop a full on cold from forming. But, it will also help during the cold to alleviate symptoms. I am not kidding – you will notice that a lot of your symptoms just disappear – all hail Chinese medicine!
“Get Well Soon formula combines elements of two very effective, centuries-old Chinese herbal formulas-yin chiao and gan mao ling – with immune-activating nutrients. Designed for the Prevention and Treatment of Colds and Flu’s, It Delivers: Defense-Strengthening Support – from a potent blend of herbs including garlic, echinacea and coptis, plus high-potency Vitamins A, C and E and other nutrients important in supporting immune function; Symptomatic Relief – for easing sore throats (forsythia), clearing the sinuses and lungs (platycodon and licorice), cooling feverish heat (chrysanthemum), easing body aches (Chinese lovage) and expel/.//.,,ling toxins through perspiration (elder, yarrow and ginger).”
$16.95 for a 2-pack on Amazon, but, this is usually available at OK Natural and Whole Foods. (If you can’t get this brand, I also recommend the Oriental Herb Company Cold Snap.)
2. Neti Pot Flush your sinuses! It is recommended to do this through out the entire winter when your nasal passages are dry and more likely to become irritated. Try it with salt, too.
3. Kiss My Face Cold & Flu Moisture Bath & Shower Gel That nice eucalyptus scent really opens things up, plus a hot shower or bath will help stop the chills.
4. Angel Dear Robe And speaking of chills, this robe was the best investment. It is like a super blanket. I wore mine all week and it was especially useful surviving through the furnace needing to be fixed. Stay warm and cozy in this amazing robe!
5. And of course, plenty of these: Kleenex! And, just make sure you have the basics on hand: Tylenol, Orange Juice, and plenty of DVD’s for the kids, so you can get a little bit of rest for while they are being entertained.
]]>
Hopscotch Designs makes the cut with their Sophie dress ($35.99). The charming and simplistic apron style of the Sophie dress is versatile with it’s lightweight 100% cotton designer fabrics. Whether it be a play date or special occasion, you know she’ll be the best dressed.
1950′s style aprons were the inspiration for these beauties (think “I Love Lucy”). I know I have seen several actual aprons for little girls and thought, “gosh if they would just sew it up the back- it would be perfect!” But, that the Sophie dress is not the only product offered, there is also their signature Madigan dress (their first creation), girls separates, coats, boys shirts, and amazing quilts in many sizes.
Hopscotch Designs takes pretty and makes it prettier.
This mom owned company is run by two passionate and inspired moms who spent the first 5 years of their business selling at farmer’s markets, but, has since expanded into many boutiques across the US.
Although we use mostly all organic/all natural/recycled products in our home, I am not thoroughly convinced that they are the best at performance when it comes to skin and hair care for me. For the kids- yes. For me, I think I prefer chemicals. However, one product that I have been wanting to find an alternative for, but have been kind of dragging my heels about, is finding an antiperspirant deodorant. I know there are danger in putting that kind of chemical on an area so close to the mammary gland everyday (even if it hasn’t been proven). However, if I do not put on an antiperspirant deodorant then I sweat like crazy and smell bad. I know there are deodorant crystals and other all natural products, but, they don’t work for me and I am not willing to go with out.
Then I started hearing about this stuff called Funk Butter and that it worked. I figured since it was an all-natural handmade deodorant that it was going to be heavy on the essential oil side and I would just smell of body odor plus patchouli. But, let me tell you- this stuff works! it is absolutely amazing! Funk Butter natural cream to powder deodorant is priced at $4.50 for a 2 oz tin and comes in 3 scents: unscented, coco mango, and black cedar fig. So far I have tried the coco mango and I just assumed it would be a strong scent, but, it’s not. It’s a very lightweight in scent and in feel. I have to say that I even sweat less with this stuff on. I keep checking my pits for odor and all I get is the faint smell of coco mango.
I am so impressed with Funk Butter. I really want everyone to try this product. It’s a local Baltimore company, too! So, shop local and support this wonderful company that offers this great alternative to the nasty aluminum loaded super market junk. http://oyinhandmade.com/oyin/
]]>
Face it, after the kids come along you are going to have limited time to shop for clothes. Picking something off the sale rack at Old Navy, or grabbing something off the rack at Target when you’re there picking up diapers is not your ideal, but, you have to replace those holey yoga pants NOW. You do want to look cute, but, as you’re chasing toddlers all day you need to comfortable and your clothes need to be easy to wash. Wildewear could be your solution. Wildewear is an Etsy seller that has eco-friendly threads that are as unique as you are, but, still completely wearable. These stylish threads look so comfortable, and at an affordable price tag, too. ]]>
If there was ever a place online that has just what you’re looking for, it’s Etsy. It’s like eBay in that it’s a complete mish mash of products, but, with all handmade items. And it’s not your grandmother’s country craft fair items, either. You can find everything from fancy jewels, to baby bibs, to art for your walls, to furniture, to t-shirts. The prices alone will bring you back because these items are coming straight from the designer. I have been delighted with every purchase I have made on Etsy, and most every purchase has come with a special touch, wrapping, freebie, etc. The sellers really go the extra mile.
We are truly hooked on Etsy!
Here at BM, we’ll frequently feature Etsy designers that have caught our eye.
]]>