Eco-friendly Fall Essentials from AHALife

I don't know about you, but I am ready for fall! And to celebrate it's arrival, I've picked out a few of my favorites from AHAlife, one of my favorite online resources for discovering thoughtful, on-trend brands. And just through today, you can take 24% off of your first purchase on their site with code AHANEW.

I'm a big fan of AHAlife not just because they seek out thoughtful brands creating high-quality goods, but because they disclose the details of each item so well on their site. With one click, I can see whether something is handmade or organic, where it is made, and sometimes even how it is made. They tell the story behind their products quite thoroughly and I wish more online retailers would do the same.

In the (shoppable) image above, you can find:

• Shwood sunglasses, handmade in Oregon from sustainably harvested wood.
• Botkier tote (also available in a more conservative all-tan or all-black), made in the USA.
• Cuff by Kelly Wearstler, made in the USA of gold-plated brass. I wish it were recycled gold plated brass.
• Organic Pink Fijian Tea, made in Fiji. 
• Wool Wrap: Crafted from hand-combed Mongolian yak wool, designer Khunu worked directly with herder communities to responsibly source its yak wool which is then crafted in the oldest textile workshop in Mongolia. Boom.
• Wrap clutch (also in this size) by Busk and Bask. Hand-crafted from vegetable-tanned leather, Chicago screws and a solid teak wood floor.

For more even fall essentials, check out my Pinterest Board!

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Little Black Dress: Day to Night {Maternity Style}

Today I'm celebrating three things: 1) entering my third trimester (home stretch!),  2) the versatility and general awesomeness of the little black dress, and 3) most importantly, the return of Victoria, sister-friend and photographer extraordinaire! She has been traveling for six weeks straight and I don't know how I survived without her. Three cheers for the return of Victoria Corkhill!

WEARING:

• Made in the USA dress by American Twist, picked up at Nordstrom Rack for $39 because it stretched quite nicely over my belly. Only available now in coral, but such a great (and flattering) deal!
• Secondhand jacket from Secondi 
• Oxford shoes made to last in Italy by AGL (similar-ish?), a family-run company who has been using the same factory for three generations.

At 29 weeks along (translation: seven months prego), ain't no hidin' the bump! At this stage, I have found that stretchy-yet-substantial fabrics are my bestest friends, along with loose shift-style dresses.

A fellow preggers blogger, Haya from Good Good Gorgeous, remarked in a post that now, more than ever, she feels so much more comfortable wearing tight slinky dresses that really hug her curves, and I have to say I feel the same! I might never have worn something like this before, but for some reason, I feel more confident in silhouettes that really show my shape. 



To transition this look from "day at the office" to" night on the town," all I did was lose the jacket, add heels and throw on an enamel cuff. You may recall these strappy little sandals from when I wore them in the middle of January because they are amazing secondhand Givenchy heels, that's why!




Last, but certainly not least, here are 15 little black dresses that are all made in the USA, priced from $58 for this shift by Wayf all the way up to $1,495 for a more conservative take on the dress I'm wearing by Lela Rose.

Shop your eco-hearts out!

12 Baby Shower Gift Ideas for Eco-friendly and Ethical Moms-to-Be

For obvious reasons, I've become quite the connoisseur of organic cotton baby clothing and pretty much all things eco-baby as of late, so I thought it was high-time to share what I've found. This first set includes three of my favorite infant clothing companies (so far):

• Electrik Kids organic sleepers look like little Cindy Lou Who would wear them, don't they? I love the tie closure at the bottom, not just because it's adorable, but because it's so easy for nighttime diaper changes.
• Hanna Andersson makes high-quality, brightly colored toddler and infant clothing. Alhough not all of her line is made from organic cotton, most of the sleepwear is.  In fact, more than 60% of her line is Oeko-Tex certified. Here is the onesie above from Nordstrom, and several other options.
• Kate Quinn Organics is an adorable (but still tasteful) line that I can't stop ogling, from the blankets to the sleep sacks.

Samplers are ideal for new Moms who have no way of knowing exactly which brands they prefer just yet. Honest Company Bath and Body Baby Bundle includes a sampling of everything she might need from diapering to bathtime. Other nice options include:

• This "Baby Road Set" from Mayron's Goods has everything you might need for baby while on the road, and all of it is made from organic oils and ingredients.
• Babyganics products: you can make your own "New Mom" gift collection by shopping separate items at Target or other drug stores. This brand is a big favorite among my Mom friends, and their ingredient lists are clean, clean, clean.

Etsy is awash with adorable handknit and handmade wear for fall and winter babies, like this hand knit wool cardigan from Camp and Company, but there are so many more great gift options, like this hilarious knight hat from Thoughtful Stitches (only $23) or this Yoda hat by Nita Mae's Garden.  

The booties and hat are by Tane Organics and available from AHAlife. Each one is handknit from the baby booties, to the hat, to the onesie, though the baby booties are by far my favorite.




Babyearth.com has an array of affordable, non-toxic, old-school wooden toys and other accessories like this pull-toy alligator or this more modern organic playmat.





The Perfect Tote (aka diaper bag, aka baby everything bag)
I've never had a friend who is a Mom tell me I will need a diaper bag. Instead, they simply throw diapers and wipes in a ziplock and into their own bucket bags and purses. That said, everyone can use a good tote, and I feel like this Baggu collaboration with West Elm comes close to perfection.

With two ways to carry it, a monogram option, several colors, and a snap closure top that makes it easy to stuff full without worrying about spillage, I think it's well worth its $45 price tag. Add to that the fact that Baggu is a thoughtful company that makes its leather products in New York City and uses only eco-friendly materials like 100% recycled cotton canvas and durable (but recyclable) nylon to make its other bags ethically in China, and I'm sold. I just can't choose a color...apparently they come without the dip-dye as well for only $26.

Last but not least, they would make the perfect (eco-friendly) gift bag to hold other small shower gifts like toys, bottles, bath products. Something for baby, something for Mama.

Want more eco-friendly gift ideas? 

Follow my board My Fair Baby on Pinterest!

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