Archive for the ‘Kids & Baby’ Category

Green Gift Guide for Kids and Babies

Monday, December 5th, 2011

Holiday shopping is hard enough without worrying about whether or not the product you’re buying for you loved one is safe for them. That’s why this green guide for kids and babies is entirely comprised of organic, sustainable, renewable, and child-safe gift ideas. So not only will you feel good about the smile you bring to your little one’s face, but you’ll also rest easy knowing that they’re having the time of their life with a toy that is truly eco-friendly.

LAN Goose LgTom SmStripe 11006 11009 72dpi 5 460x460 Green Gift Guide for Kids and BabiesNow, if this isn’t cute, we don’t know what is! These adorable stuffed geese by Lana aren’t just soft, cuddly, and brightly colored, they’re also made with 100% organic cotton and certified safe dyes. Lana toys are also produced without chemical outfits or flame retardants, making them totally pure. And since these sweet geese come in two sizes and two different colors, you can get just the right friend for your child!

mimi the sardine jungle lunchbug 72dpi 460x460 Green Gift Guide for Kids and BabiesThis colorful lunch tote by Mimi The Sardine is friendly, fun, and practical. It’s also PVC-free and 100% lead-free, which is just how you probably want your child’s lunchbox to be. There are four different fun, colorful options so you can find just the perfect fit for your child’s personality, and the sturdy zipper and durable yet soft handles will ensure that they will get to enjoy it for years to come.

hape pandabo 11013 72dpi 460x460 Green Gift Guide for Kids and BabiesLooking for a toy that’s not only fun to play but also provides a learning experience? Then the award-winning Pandabo Bamboo Strategy Game may be the perfect option for you. This balance game teaches children fine motor skills and strategy, plus it’s easy to learn. Players simply take turns rolling a die and placing different shaped bamboo sticks on JingJing the Panda’s belly. The challenge comes in placing them in the suggested spot while still maintaining balance! Pandabo is made using renewable bamboo and safe, water-based paint, so not only is this balancing game a cute and creative addition to your child’s toybox, it’s also an eco-safe one.

earthlust sippycup bees 99005 72dpi 460x460 Green Gift Guide for Kids and Babies

This inspired little cup by Earthlust is more than meets the eye. Not only is it constructed out of durable BPA-free and food grade stainless-steel components, but it’s also a great tool for helping little one’s transition from bottle to sippy. Included with the cup is a nipple top for babies and a sippy top and detachable handles for toddlers, so this will be one gift they won’t grow out of right away. Plus, it comes in two different designs and is dent-resistant and won’t leach chemicals, so it’ll definitely stand up to even the toughest toddler around.

To search for other green gift options for adults and children alike, head on over to the Olive & Myrtle website. We’ve already posted our 2011 holiday green gift guide for her and our 2011 holiday green gift guide for him, but be sure to check back in the upcoming weeks for gift guides pets, too!

Did You Know a Toy Can Help a Young Child’s Brain Develop?

Friday, August 12th, 2011

BC Trapecolo 11014 72dpi 460x460 Did You Know a Toy Can Help a Young Child’s Brain Develop?

And you thought toys were just for play.

As it turns out, on a developmental level a child can benefit from playing with a toy. A high quality toy can help a young child’s fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, cognitive abilities, and problem solving aptitude improve.

Puzzles, matching games, and sequencing games can help develop the brain of a young child in their early stages of life. One example is the Colora Bamboo Magnetic Mosaic Game by Hape International. This puzzle asks you to restructure a simple mosaic by color and pattern recognition. These skills will definitely come in handy later in a child’s life.

Or consider the Trapecolo Bamboo Mosaic Puzzle Game, also by Hape. Recommended for children ages four and up, finishing the bamboo puzzle requires knowledge of shapes, geometry, and basic planning.

Think about the advantages of a child getting a head start on strategic thinking at a young age.

Hape, an international toy and game company that began in 1986, focuses on developing creative and extraordinary product designs that offers new possibilities for creative and imaginative play. Committed to both excellence and social responsibility, Hape is one of the first toy companies to receive the ISO 9001 Quality Management and ISO 14001 Environmental Management Certificates.

Additionally, Hape has built two schools, offers award scholarships to international students, and provides support to small and medium sized entrepreneurships across the globe. Within the past two years they’ve set up business in Shanghai to explore the emerging Chinese market. Not bad for a toy company.

If you know a young child who has a birthday right around the corner, look into these smartly designed toys sold at Olive & Myrtle. They will thank you later.

Begin Your Back-To-School Shopping by Purchasing an Eco-Friendly Lunch Tote

Wednesday, August 10th, 2011

mimi the sardine jungle lunchbug 72dpi 460x460 Begin Your Back To School Shopping by Purchasing an Eco Friendly Lunch Tote

It’s that time of year when kids across America hear those dreaded three words:

Back to school.

While summer vacation may not be able to last forever, there are plenty of reasons why sustainability-minded parents should be excited for back-to-school shopping. Mimi the Sardine, a manufacturer of environmentally-friendly eating accessories for children, offers a whole host of lunch totes perfect for your kid!

The lunch totes sold by Olive & Myrtle feature fun designs of flowers, monkeys, airplanes, lady bugs, dots and stripes. Based just north of San Francisco, Mimi the Sardine is a small family-owned business that opened in 1988. Committed to environmental sustainability, the lunch totes sold by Mimi the Sardine are made from organic materials that are easy to wash and PVC-free.

By using 100 percent acrylic-coated organically grown cotton, these lunch totes are free from harmful chemicals as determined by the CPSIA (Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008) and the Oeko-Tex Standard 100. You can be assured that your child’s lunch tote will be strong, durable, and friendly to the planet at the same time.

So as you start to think about back-to-school shopping, consider purchasing a Swedish-designed lunch tote from Mimi the Sardine. It can help relieve the sting of homework, essays, spelling tests, and math quizzes!

Twelfth Day of Christmas: 20% off Beech Wood Abacus!

Friday, December 17th, 2010

haba beadabacus 11021 72dpi 21 Twelfth Day of Christmas: 20% off Beech Wood Abacus!On the twelfth day of Christmas, Olive & Myrtle gives to thee…20% off the colorful Beech Wood Abacus! Brightly painted with 100% water-based, solvent-free lacquers and made with wood from sustainable forests, this abacus is great for fun, safe playing. Durable, educational, eco-friendly and 20% off? Perfect green gift for little ones!

Enter coupon code ABACUS at checkout, and then check out the other 12 Days of Christmas Deals–12 green gifts, 12 green deals, all good until TODAY (December 17th) only!

Green Gifts for Kids and Babies

Wednesday, December 15th, 2010

The look on little ones faces as they open gifts is a priceless part of the holiday season.  Knowing that the products they eat with and the toys they play with are eco-friendly and organic means you can be at peace, knowing they’ll be safe to eat, chew, cuddle and play away.

Here are some kid & baby green gifts ideas in ascending order from infants to kidlike adults:

Babies

rattle1 Green Gifts for Kids and BabiesViva Wood Rattle Toy, made with wood from sustainable forests and solvent-free lacquers.

teether 150x150 Green Gifts for Kids and BabiesKringelring Wood Teething Ring, which is durable and brightly colored with safe, water-based lacquers.

animals 150x150 Green Gifts for Kids and Babies100% Organic Cotton Stuffed Animals made with only natural materials—no chemicals or dyes. Only plush, soft, cuddly organic cotton and pure wool stuffing.

whale1 150x150 Green Gifts for Kids and BabiesVibrant, solid Moby Clutching Hardwood Toy, great for grabbing with tiny fingers, and colored with water-based, ecological solvent-free lacquer.

Toddlers

earthlust sippycup birds 99004 72dpi 150x150 Green Gifts for Kids and BabiesBPA-Free Baby Bottle & Sippy Cup for transitions between a bottle and sippy cup. Insulated, food-grade stainless steel, this sippy is dent resistant, safe, and hygienic.

pulltoy 150x150 Green Gifts for Kids and BabiesCirco Wood Pull Toys, perfect for toddlers to tote as they are learning to walk. Created to last generations, and available in fun clown, duck and caterpillar shapes.

blocks 150x150 Green Gifts for Kids and BabiesSustainable, durable Fantasy Wood Blocks in colorful, creative patterns. 100% water-based lacquer and a variety of shapes for fun, safe building.(15% off through Dec. 17th, for 12 Days of Christmas! Coupon code: BLOCKS)

Big Kids

lunch 150x150 Green Gifts for Kids and BabiesLead and PVC-free Kids Lunch Totes, made from soft eco-friendly fabric, that is machine washable. Available in four cheery designs.

sketch 150x150 Green Gifts for Kids and BabiesRecycled Paper Sketchbooks, made with biodegradable vegetable-based inks and glues.  A sturdy cover protects 75 sheets of acid and chlorine-free paper.

trapecolo 150x150 Green Gifts for Kids and BabiesTrapecolo Bamboo Shape and Pattern Game, made with renewable bamboo and water-based paint. 180 trapezoid tiles create an endless array of patterns, and the frame can stand to display designs.

Kids at Heart

plate 150x150 Green Gifts for Kids and BabiesBPA-Free Plates with a variety of whimsical sayings and images are perfect for kids or kids at heart. 100% recycled and recyclable, these plates’ designs are created with non-toxic inks so they’re as safe as they are fun to eat off of.

cribbage 150x150 Green Gifts for Kids and BabiesReclaimed Wood Cribbage Board, made with reclaimed lumber from trees that have fallen naturally and recycled metal pegs. Durable, and made to last.

Get the cribbage board for $5 off during the 12 Days of Christmas Deals through Dec. 17th! (Coupon code: CRIBBAGE)

Second Day of Christmas: Sustainable Fantasy Wood Blocks 15% off!

Tuesday, December 7th, 2010

HAB fantasyblocks 11018 72dpi1 460x460 Second Day of Christmas: Sustainable Fantasy Wood Blocks 15% off!

On the second day of Christmas, Olive & Myrtle gives to thee…Fantasy Wood Blocks by Haba 15% off! These colorful, patterned plocks are made of beech wood from sustainable forests, have 100% water-based, solvent-free lacquer, and are very durable. Makes a perfect fun and safe gift for kids this season.

Enter coupon code BLOCKS at checkout to receive discount, and remember: a new item will be featured every day during our 12 Days of Christmas, but the deals on all 12 items run for all 12 days!

Olive & Myrtle 12 Days of Christmas Deals

Monday, December 6th, 2010

Olive and Myrtle’s 12 Days of Christmas has begun! Starting Monday, December 6th, through Friday, December 17th (which is also the last day to order for a guaranteed delivery before Christmas), Olive and Myrtle will be featuring a new eco-friendly green gift a day, each with it’s own special sale price or discount!

No need to wait for the product’s feature day to get the special discount, all 12 products can be bought on all 12 days!

Here is a sneak peek at the products and special deals. Be sure to check back daily for product descriptions and info!

On the 12 Days of Christmas, Olive and Myrtle gives to thee:

The soft Waffle Weave Organic Cotton Bathrobe made from 100% organic cotton for $15 off. (Coupon code: ROBE)

LPO BathRobe 44010 72dpi1 150x150 Olive & Myrtle 12 Days of Christmas Deals

Fantasy Wood Blocks made with wood from sustainable forests for 15% off. (Coupon code: BLOCKS)

HAB fantasyblocks 11018 72dpi 150x150 Olive & Myrtle 12 Days of Christmas Deals

A chic Felt Wine Pocket created from industrial wool felt for 15% off. (Coupon Code: WINEPOCKET)

josh winepocket situ lrg 150x150 Olive & Myrtle 12 Days of Christmas Deals

Cute, functional, handmade A Container For One Thing by Perch for 15% off. (Coupon code: PERCH)

PER ACFOT 77100 72dpi 150x150 Olive & Myrtle 12 Days of Christmas Deals

Verde Recycled Stainless Steel 4-piece Grilling Set made with 100% sustainable products for 20% off. (Coupon Code: BBQTOOLS)

Outset 4pcGrillingTools 77185G 72dpi 1 150x150 Olive & Myrtle 12 Days of Christmas Deals

Recycled Wood Picture Frames made from salvaged trees with glass from recycled windows at 20% off. (Coupon code: FRAMES)

wood from hood tapered recycled frames walnut 72dpi2 150x150 Olive & Myrtle 12 Days of Christmas Deals

100% Organic Cotton Tea Towels in three different water-based ink designs for 15% off. (Coupon code: TEATOWELS)

teatowels green flatwithfolded 150x150 Olive & Myrtle 12 Days of Christmas Deals

Delicious-smelling, eco-friendly 100% pure soy Kobo Candles for $5 off. (Coupon code: KOBO)

KBO GoldMimosa 77004 72dpi 1 150x150 Olive & Myrtle 12 Days of Christmas Deals

Fun, durable Bamboo Domino Game made from renewable bamboo FREE with a purchase of $75 or more. (Coupon code: FREEDOMINOGAME after adding game to cart)

BC Domino 11011 72dpi 460x460 150x150 Olive & Myrtle 12 Days of Christmas Deals

Reclaimed Wood Cribbage Board made from reclaimed lumber and recycled metal pegs for $5 off. (Coupon code: CRIBBAGE)

wood from hood cribbagegame 72dpi 150x150 Olive & Myrtle 12 Days of Christmas Deals

Durable, eco-chic Lunch Tote Bagettes for adults  in three fun designs for $5 off. (Coupon code: LUNCHTOTE)

mimi the sardine blue flora bagette 72pdi 150x150 Olive & Myrtle 12 Days of Christmas Deals

Colorful Beech Wood Abacus made with 100% water-based, solvent free lacquers for 20% off. (Coupon code: ABACUS)

haba beadabacus 11021 72dpi 2 150x150 Olive & Myrtle 12 Days of Christmas Deals

Happy holiday shopping!

New Arrivals at Olive and Myrtle

Friday, November 26th, 2010

Tons of new green products have arrived at Olive and Myrtle! Find green gifts for everyone on your list, or snag yourself some sustainable home décor. Here’s a look at a few of the new arrivals:

mimi the sardine blue dots bagette 72dpi 460x460 New Arrivals at Olive and Myrtle

Washable, eco-friendly Lunch Tote Bagettes by Mimi the Sardine

These 7 different styles of colorful reusable lunch totes can easily fit a water bottle in addition to your lunch, have soft handles and a sturdy zipper, and the PVC-and-lead-free acrylic-coated cotton sacks your lunch safely. Great for kids and adults!

wood from hood cribbagegame 72dpi 460x460 New Arrivals at Olive and MyrtleReclaimed Wood Cribbage Board by Wood From the Hood

Minnesota-based Wood From the Hood collects trees that have fallen naturally or been taken down due to disease and recycles them into lumber, used to make beautiful reclaimed products such as this classic cribbage board complete with recycled metal pegs.

earthlust fish 99003 72dpi 459x459 New Arrivals at Olive and Myrtle

1 Liter BPA-Free Stainless Steel Water Bottle by Earthlust

Handmade from food grade, naturally safe unlined stainless steel, these water bottles are the safe and green way to stay hydrated. Three beautiful designs are available, created with non-toxic paints.

Check out the many other new green products at Olive and Myrtle, including an eco-friendly Felt Wine Pocket, Recycled Wood Picture Frames, Reclaimed Maple Cutting Boards, and more!

Free Bamboo Domino Game With Purchase!

Friday, November 12th, 2010

BC Domino 11011 72dpi 460x460 Free Bamboo Domino Game With Purchase!What’s better than shopping for chic, recycled and renewable products? Getting a free eco-friendly gift, of course!

Simply purchase $75 or greater of green goodies from Olive & Myrtle and get the HaPe Bamboo Domino Game added to your shipment for free. ($15 value, while supplies last) Here’s how: 1. Add the Bamboo Domino game to your shopping cart. 2. Continue shopping and make sure your subtotal is $75 or greater. 3. Enter coupon code FREEDOMINOGAME at checkout. 4. $15 will be deducted from your order total, the cost of the Bamboo Domino Game.

With so many beautifully designed eco-friendly gifts, it’s not hard to qualify for the durable 100% renewable natural Bamboo Domino Game. The 28 bamboo domino pieces are painted with safe, water-based paint, and packaged in a cheerful bright case with a bamboo handle.

Cross green gifts for her, for him, for everyone off your list as you shop Olive & Myrtle, and receive this eco-friendly domino set perfect for that special kid (or kid-at-heart) in your life.

Eco Friendly Gifts Under $60

Friday, November 5th, 2010

PER VesselBeak 77117 118 72dpi 2 460x460 Eco Friendly Gifts Under $60

Thinking about giving that special someone a sustainable, recycled, reclaimed, repurposed green gift? Of course you are! Green gifts come without chemicals and toxins, a lower environmental impact, and with so many eco-friendly gifts under $60, you’re sure to find some chic, smart items for everyone on your holiday list.

Just a few of the awesome Olive & Myrtle green gifts under $60:

-Handmade, multi-functional eco-friendly Vessel Beak vase (pictured) by Perch!

-Fantasy Wood Blocks, made with wood from sustainable forests by Haba

-100% organic bamboo Deep Dish Bamboo Bowls by Bambu

-The Mason low-fire ceramic, handmade earthenware vase, container or jar by Perch!

-Renewable, compostable, biodegradable Beehive Soft Felt Bowls by Mio Culture

Also check out budget and eco-friendly green gifts under $30!