I am happy to introduce one of our latest product lines at Green and Chic – Ilumina Organics.

When I first stumbled upon Ilumina Organics a few months ago, I was immediately impressed with the purity of the ingredients in their adult and baby product lines and the fact that they only use BPA (Bisphenol A) free packaging:

“Our bottles contain NO chemicals with estrogenic activity (EA). Chemicals with EA have been associated with serious health problems, especially with reproductive functions, growth and behavior concerns, and certain cancers.” –  Head to Toe Baby Wash bottle.

Though most of the products listed are specially formulated for babies in mind, children and adults with skin sensitivities can benefit as well.

The Head to Toe Baby Body Wash is a great example of a product that the entire family can use.  This sulfate free formula is extremely gentle, does not contain synthetic detergents, lathering agents and is even safe for baby’s eyes.  The scent is essential oil based that’s light and refreshing.  When I use this soap, my skin is clean, but never dry and tight.

At Green and Chic, we have the Head to Toe Baby Body Wash, Bottom Balm, Baby Oil and Belly Balm.

Low flat fee shipping and free shipping options!

When my third child experienced chronic diaper rash, I didn’t know what to do. My other babies rarely had diaper rash problems and if they developed a rash, Desitin (one of the best diaper rash treatment and prevention creams, in my opinion) did the trick to cure it within hours. So when all else failed to cure my daughter’s diaper rash (including lots of communication with my wonderful pediatrician), I felt like breaking down. My daughter was so uncomfortable and the sight of the rash was just awful. Keeping her bare-bottomed, as suggested by many, was simply impractical. In the end, after 3 months of struggle, my pediatrician told me about a product called Boudreaux’s Butt Paste. It’s an amazing product that finally cured her poor little sore tushy. To this day, my pediatrician and I are still unsure about the cause of the rash and why it took so long to heal. Almost 4 years later, I believe that if I had tried more natural remedies, her rash would have cleared up quicker.

The following are natural remedy tips for how to deal with a stubborn-to-heal diaper rash. These tips have worked successfully for many moms and they’ll hopefully work for you, too. Note: ALWAYS consult with your pediatrician first for the best advice about how to cure your baby’s diaper rash. Sometimes a baby is sensitive or allergic to something a breast-feeding mother is eating or to a certain formula, and that could cause diaper rash. Your doctor can help you create a diet to test sensitivity, or may recommend switching formulas. (I did the diet thing: no gluten, no dairy, no gassy vegetables. It was a huge challenge and didn’t help the diaper rash go away.)

1. Always change your baby’s diaper promptly.

2. To prevent diaper rash, make sure the buttocks and genitals are dry before applying cream or ointment. Always apply a cream or ointment after using wipes to clean up a messy diaper. Try any of the following creams. For newborns and infants, only a pea-sized amount or less is necessary: A & D Ointment, Desitin or Boudreaux’s Butt Paste. Calendula, Vitamin E and Naturity Organic Diaper Balm have also been known to work well.

3. Try a baking soda wash for the rash area. Mix 1 tablespoon of baking soda in half-cup cup of warm water. Slowly pour over your baby’s buttocks or spray it on with a spray bottle.

4. Forgo conventional baby wipes. Instead, clean the buttocks with water, mild natural soap and soft-cloth dry wipes.

5. Switch diaper brands or try a natural disposable diaper such as Seventh Generation or Mother Nature.

6. Consider cloth diapers.

7. Wash cloth diapers in unscented detergent only and double-rinse before drying. Additionally, consider a natural detergent or make your own.

8. Give your baby as much diaper-free time as possible.

Did you miss an opportunity to buy a special gift for the mother in your life?  Naturity organic bath and body for babies, mothers-to-be and everyone else should fit the bill!  You will find extended product and brand information on our website at Green and Chic, but the highlights are:

• All Naturity products are 100% natural and at least 99% certified organic.
• Naturity Organic Babyhood Product Line Rated “Zero” Toxicity in Skin Deep
  Database.
• All products are packaged in glass and metal containers.

The promotion

Until May 31st when you purchase $25 worth of Naturity products, you will be entered to win an Organic New Mother Gift Box, which is a $48.00 retail value.

This guest post was written by Marcy Tate, a blogger at Networx, Your Home Improvement Network.

Spring kicks off the unofficial baby nursery planning season. In the US, the highest percentage of babies is born in July and August, making the spring the perfect time for planning a nursery. All new moms and dads wants the best for their babies, and the best in baby nurseries is creating a healthy, green or eco-friendly nursery. Here you’ll read the basics of what you’ll need for a green nursery and where to find it.

Getting the Room Ready

The Walls
If you are planning to give your nursery a fresh coat of paint, choose paint without harmful volatile organic compounds (VOCs). VOCs are emitted as gasses from paint and are unhealthy for you, your baby and the environment.
Almost all good-quality paint manufacturers produce low or zero-VOC paint. Check Benjamin Moore or Sherwin-Williams for some of the best selections of zero-VOC paint. Alternatively, try a super eco-friendly paint option, like milk-based paint from The Real Milk Paint Co.

Lighting
Low-voltage and compact fluorescent lighting fixtures and lamps are the most eco-friendly way to go for your nursery. Select CFL (compact fluorescent) light bulbs with lower Kelvin ratings, as they will provide a warm glow. Ideally, choose wall or ceiling mounted lighting to keep electrical cords and plugs out of your baby’s reach.

Window Treatments
Selecting light-colored window treatments will allow natural-light into the nursery while still blocking enough light for your baby to nap comfortably. There are a few green choices for window treatments:

1) Natural-woven shades made from highly renewable grasses.
2) Drapes made from fabrics like hemp or organic cotton.
3) Roller shades made from PVC-free material, such as the good-quality
roller shades from Earthshade.

Carpeting
Consider using area rugs or carpet tiles instead of wall-to-wall carpeting. Carpets can harbor dust mites and some synthetic carpets release off-gas VOCs. While there’s no way to predict whether your baby will be sensitive to dust mites, play it safe and avoid carpet. If you do choose carpet, make it eco-friendly and select wool or jute carpet. Check FLOR carpet tiles for a wide selection of carpet tiles.

Toys
While there aren’t too many toys your baby will need right away, using toys to decorate the baby’s nursery can add cheer and bring excitement to the room while waiting for the baby. Look for organic cotton toys, such as this set of organic cotton vegetables. Wooden toys are a timeless classic. Make sure they are from FSC-certified (Forest Stewardship Council) forests. Check out Ecotoytown for just about every eco-toy out there. PlanToys is another excellent resource with a wide selection of eco-toys. Your local toy store will likely carry eco-friendly toys as well.

Bedding and Furniture Essentials

The Crib
Like most wooden furniture, most cribs are not eco-friendly. The problems with cribs are that many are made with unsustainable wood or formaldehyde-filled plywood and utilize VOC finishes. Fortunately, there are several green crib options. However, be aware that they cost more than a standard crib. Spend time doing some research when it comes to your crib purchase, as you may be able to find an eco-friendly crib, like this one from Babymod, at Walmart.
Sustainable wooden cribs can be purchased at DucDuc and Q Collection Junior. The cribs are made from sustainable woods, without harmful chemicals. Additionally, Pacific Rim makes solid maple furniture from sustainable forests. Your best bet for selecting nursery furniture is to purchase unfinished, untreated wood.

Bedding
Bedding is the most important part of the nursery when it comes to making it eco-friendly. Your baby will have direct, face-to-bed contact with the bedding. Start by purchasing an organic cotton mattress like those made by Savvy Rest. Savvy rest manufactures crib mattresses that are made with natural latex and certified organic materials.

Make sure to stay with natural fibers for the rest of your crib bedding, including the mattress pad, sheets and changing pads. Go for wool instead of vinyl when purchasing puddle pads: Those great pads that will protect the mattress against leaks. Organic cotton or bamboo crib sheets are an excellent green choice.

Putting together a green nursery is worth the extra bit of time and money needed to do so. Start early so that you can take your time pricing the items you need and budgeting out everything you desire. The reward will be a healthy, eco-friendly nursery for the most important item in the nursery: your precious baby.

One of my faviorte bath and body lines I have at Green and Chic is Naturity. Though I mostly use the bath line, (no little ones here) the babyhood line deserves special recognition.

In December 2009, Naturity announced that its entire Organic Babyhood product line (Baby Massage Oil, Diaper Balm, and Baby Powder) received a “zero” toxicity rating-the best possible rating for a product in the Skin Deep database.

Organic Diaper Balm

The ingredients in the Naturitiy baby line all are free from additives and chemicals. They are made with the freshest organic ingredients, which means they are grown without chemicals, pesticides, and synthetic fertilizers. All products are also free from chemical preservatives such as parabens, and free from artificial perfumes, fragrances, colors, 100% natural and at least 99% certified organic.

Organic Baby Massage Oil

Naturity also believe in using eco-friendly packaging. For this reason, they chose glass and  metal containers for their products rather than plastic.

From now until the end of the month, get 10% off any order at Green and Chic, by entering TENOFF at checkout.

If you are looking for simple, natural, organic bath and body products for adults and babies, check out the Naturity line at Green and Chic.   All Naturity products are made with certified organic ingredients – which are grown without chemicals, pesticides, and synthetic fertilizers. All products are also free from chemical preservatives such as parabens, and free from artificial perfumes, fragrances, and colors.  Naturity bath and body products are 100% natural and at least 99% certified organic.

Organic Sugar Scrub

At Green and Chic, you will find a wide variety of  Natuirty bath and body products from sugar scrubs to skincare for babies and pregnant women.  The Naturity organic gift baskets for mothers-to-be, babies and adults are perfect for the coming holiday season.

Naturity believe in using eco-friendly packaging. For this reason, they chose reusable glass and metal containers for their products rather than plastic.

Come check out the Naturity line at Green and Chic!

Erbaorganics Organic Baby Body Wash is a super mild and gentle baby body wash. Its perfect for baby’s sensitive skin because it utilizes natural, sulfate-free cleansing agents that gently wash baby without over drying or causing irritation. The scent is very mild by means of organic lavender essential oils.  Its also perfect for sensitive adult skin.

• Erbaorganics super mild and gentle body wash is perfect for baby ‘s delicate skin.
• Natural cleansing agents gently wash away the dirt of the day without over drying or causing irritation.
• Organic lavender and organic chamomile leave skin soft, smooth, and refreshed.
• Erbaorganics will donate 15% from of ur sales on this item to support the WWO.
• A rich organic aloe base forms the foundation for this super mild wash.
• Paraben and sulfate-free.
• Organic oat extract and organic olive oil combine to create a green and eco-friendly surfactant which gently and effectively cleanses baby ‘s delicate skin.
• Organic lavender helps soothe irritated skin while organic chamomile calms and relaxes.
• A super-safe food grade preservative maintains ultimate freshness.

Order your bottle from Green and Chic today!

Erbaorganics Baby Body Wash
Was: $11.99
Now: $9.60

In the next month, we’re going to be moving operations and need to make our load a little lighter to ease the transition.

Save up to 20% on seleted products at Green and Chic from now until August 31st.  Products includes Erbaorganics Baby Body Wash and Deep Steep Honeydew Spearmint Body Butter.   Click here to view all sale items.

Any questions about our products or sale?  You can address them to info(at)greenandchic(dot)com.

Naturally Trendy an eco-friendly baby boutique that has everything from organic baby clothes, non-toxic toys, nursing supplies to organic furniture is giving away a pair of Cale Organic baby booties (0-3 months) to one lucky Green and Chic reader.

From Naturally Trendy:

“Oh so cute! The vegan baby booties are stylish, super soft, and ultra eco-friendly, made from designer organic fabric. One of celebrities’ favorites, Mia Joie baby booties are handmade in USA and there is no other like it. Because of this, not every detail is perfect, but it is perfectly unique. These organic, vegan baby booties come gift packaged in an eco-friendly and reusable fabric bag.”

……………………………………………………………………………………………………

Here’s how to enter:

Leave a brief comment below telling me which product(s) you are interested in from the Naturally Trendy website and how you would use it (gift, for yourself, etc).  This is your first entry.

To earn more points, you can do each of the following (separate comment for each entry):

1. Blog about the giveaway and link back to this page on your blog. Comment below with the link in case I dont get a pingback.

2. Sign up for my email updates or RSS feed. Leave a comment below telling me that you have signed up. You will also get an entry if you already subscribe — make sure to leave a comment!

3. Follow me on Twitter and tweet about the giveaway. To make it easier, you can use the “retweet” button at the top left hand side of this post.  Leave a comment telling me that you followed & tweeted.

4. Email 5 friends about the giveaway. Leave a comment below telling me that you did.

5. Stumble this post and leave a comment telling me that you did.

You can do one or all of the above. The more you do, the better your chance of winning. The contest will end on Monday, July 6th 12:00PM PST. The winner will be selected via Random.org and will be notified via email and will also be announced in a future post.

Related post:  Erbaorganics Baby Gift Set

Recently, I decided to assemble the Spa Time Baby Four Piece Soap Set. These gentle soaps are not only good for babies, but adults with sensitive skin can benefit as well.

This set includes: