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My ultimate Eco Nest!

 Good morning! I'd like to share the Inspiration board and article I did for the amazing 
It's a collection of my ultimate, yummy finds to create an amazing nursery for you and your new baby bird!

v. nest·ing

Somewhere starting in the latter half of pregnancy, most mamas will get the instinctual urge to clean, organize, and arrange the space their new baby will call home. Whether it’s the whole house, or just the nursery, the desire to create a yummy, beautiful “nest” is sometimes overwhelming!

In creating some lovely nurseries and registries for my clients, I’ve come across many a gorgeous thing! Mixing sumptuous textures, textiles, organic, and natural elements, I’ve created a list of products for my dream nursery, and wanted to share it with you for inspiration when your own nesting instinct kicks in!

We’ll go from the floor up. I love the carpet tiles by Flor. These yummy woven squares called “Settle Down” are made in the USA from 100% recycled nylon. They’re a breeze to put down, and lend a comfy warmth to your room.
The sheepskin rug from Ikea is essential to a yummy, “texturized” nursery.  It’s inexpensive and provides a plush place for babe to roll around on, snuggle in, or for a sleepy mama to sit on in the wee hours!
Furniture. The organic shape and design of the suspended Leander Cradle provides a cozy sleep spot and helps to develop baby’s new motor function. It is lightweight and portable to move with you from room to room or when traveling!
Oeuf’s Classic crib is by far my favorite if you’re going the crib route. Sustainably produced and classically gorgeous, it has a matching, moveable, changing station that can be used right on top of the crib. Later, it can be converted to a precious toddler bed. The Nook Pebble organic crib mattress is specifically made to be ultra breathable, which helps babies sleep longer and deeper.
A sweet forest scene graces the front of the Cork Mosaic Sideboard by Iannone Design, and could not be a more eco friendly or stunning piece for your nursery to house all of those teeny little bits and ridiculously cute outfits.
For snuggling, nursing, or reading, a rocker is essential. The Joya Rocker by Monte is modern, environmentally friendly, beautiful, and comes with a lumbar pillow for extra support! Babe wants another story? No problem!
I’m kind of obsessed with The “Bevin” tufted ottoman from The Horchow Collection. What a perfect addition to my dream nursery! Gorgeous and rich looking, it would be great to prop up tired tootsies, set your tea upon, or watch baby pull herself up on without any fear of tears.
I’m not sure whether to call this next piece, furniture per say, but you can sit on it. It is from a company in the Netherlands called Zilalila, and is frankly the yummiest, most cozy cushion I’ve ever seen. It’s looks like an oversized soft beanbag for the floor. What it really is, is a very green, fair trade, hand knitted wool “nest” for you and yours to snuggle into. Yes please, I’ll take two! 
Sacred Pregnancy is actually giving one of these amazing things away this week, so you better hurry! Go here for more details          
Ok, so we’ve covered the furniture, now let’s get to the good stuff (as if we haven’t already!) I mean the icing on the cupcake, the accessories.
Lighting. I love clear glass table lamps. They are a design staple for bringing light and texture into a space, but not taking up much visual space. They seem to float. In this dream(y) nursery, the Jonsbo Barby lamp from Ikea fits the bill in a few different ways. It’s design is pleasing and gives texture in the neutral shade, the price is crazy affordable, and it has a dimmer! The dimmer is a huge plus in the middle of the night, or in the wee small hours of the morning before even the Sun’s decided to rise. My second choice for illumination is from the visionary and whimsical company Artecnica. Their Starlightz hanging lamp in Geeta Gold features gold glitter on a white star. It’s made from handmade, wood free paper with cotton fibers and flower petals. Wish upon a star!
Textiles. Window treatments are a big part of any room. These curtains from the always-awesome Anthropologie, are sweetly neutral but get a great color pop from the pom pom trim.
The organic orange and white striped crib sheet from Giggle is a precious addition and a great splash of color. They’re made of super soft, T-shirt-esque organic cotton that doesn’t shrink with washing, and comes in a matching bag to re-use for something fun and cheery!
For wrapping up that teeny babe of yours, you cannot go wrong with the softest faux fur blanket on the planet. Little Giraffe has perfected the plush Blankie.  These muted, Brocade edged beauties are machine washable, elegant, ultra luxurious, and made with LOVE!
Art. I adore birds. On anything. So how happy I am to have a website that carries nothing but Bird things! Here are three things that are perfect for this dream nursery from Birdluxe.com.
This art print made me cry the first time I read it, and I’ve wanted it ever since!
You Climbed Inside So Softly is a gorgeous love letter to your baby printed onto heavyweight paper for an amazing piece of keepsake art.
I have fallen in love with this wall decal. The Tweet Tree design in beige and orange features a smoothly contoured tree with sprinkled leaves and four delicately outlined tweeting birds. Self-adhesive and easily removable, it would be lovely on a creamy wall in this beautiful nest we’re building.
Art and function collide in this awesome retro cuckoo clock. To keep track of midnight feedings and what time it really is, on the hour, the two birds beside the clock dial move up and down, feeding the baby birds in the nest. Perfect!
Have you seen the Wooly Pocket?? Made from breathable felt The “Wally” allows you to create an instantly lush vertical garden and experience the magical fun of plants in any environment. Made from 100% recycled plastic water bottles, Wally Pockets are soft-sided, modular and would add a super cool nature and outdoor element to this perfect organic (in every sense) baby nursery!
Back to birds just for a sec, the Birds of a Feather Mobile is the ultimate decorative touch. Made by the incredible company Ige, it is laser cut from walnut plywood and will amaze and inspire as it hangs from the ceiling.
Toys. Ok, what nursery is complete without toys?
I saw this sweet rocker from the Arctic Circle, and couldn’t refuse! Rufus the Polar Bear, designed by David Netto for Maclaren Nursery, is made from sustainably harvested white lacquer, veneered plywood and natural oak. Instant heirloom!
The Little Lambs over at Romp highly are realistic and very cuddly. They’re also meticulously manufactured and faithfully reproduced from nature. Here little lamby lamby!
Choose wooden toys! This buildingblock set is sweetly simple, and a great first for your little one’s hands. They can build their first house, tower or barn--or just practice picking them up (and throwing them, of course!). Made of locally sourced, sustainably harvested maple hardwood, the blocks are unfinished, without a drop of stain or dye on them. 
So friends, get creative. Get inspired. Choose fabrics, textures, furniture, and accent pieces that are yummy, meaningful to you, organic in all meanings, and have fun building your own wonderful, cozy space for yourself, and your babe.
Happy Nesting!

Xo Melanie

The Blessingway!






The Blessingway

I had never heard of a Blessingway until I was invited to my friend’s a few years ago. It was one of the most magical and moving experiences I’ve ever experienced. (Sobbed the WHOLE time, I kid you not) I believe every woman should experience one, so I’d love to share what it is with you!

Blessingways are traditional to North American Indians who mark the transition a woman makes when she moves from maiden to mother. Unlike a baby shower, a blessing way is not about gifts, games, or even the baby.
It is all about the mother to be!
It is a way to honor all of the amazing changes that are happening to her body, of welcoming her into the tribe of motherhood, and recognizing the right of passage she is about to embark on.
Blessingway ceremonies create a safe and sacred environment where a mama to be can share and explore the challenges and joys that lie before her as she approaches birthing and mothering. Surrounded by the most important women in her life, she gains a sense of power, confidence, and support that will help her rise to motherhood.

Ok, so what do you do? There is no wrong or right way to do it, but here is a loose guideline and some ideas. Choose what speaks to you and the Mother of honor.
Create a throne. Make it gorgeous, decadent and very comfortable! If she’s willing, make the Mother to be a crown of flowers or feathers to wear, and paint her belly with henna. You can even soak her feet in scented water. She is Queen for this day, and you are celebrating her body and all that it is about to do!
One or two women hold the space and direct the activities of the day, so that the pregnant woman can just relax and enjoy.
Begin by welcoming everyone present. Have guests sit in a circle, it’s important that everyone is comfortable and can see each other. In case everyone does not know each other, go around the circle and have guests introduce themselves and say a little about their relationship with the Mama.
Bless her: It’s called a Blessingway, after all! You can ask each participant to bring something they've found or written to bless the Mother. It can be in the form of prayer, a poem, reading a passage from a book, or simply telling her how awesome and strong she is.
(You can compile the written prayers/poems/blessings into a beautiful journal or notebook for the Mother. For impromptu words or songs, record them with an audio or video recorder and later transcribe them for the book.)
Share: Encourage the pregnant woman to voice any fears and feelings about her coming transition without being judged or told her feelings are wrong. Give advice only if it’s asked for or check first before offering advice. If she is open to it, other mothers may share their positive birth stories or feelings about their difficult birth experiences. Many times fears can be allayed by genuine supportive and positive words.
Water: It has been documented that Water can carry the vibrations of thoughts and feelings. Pass around a bowl of water and say prayers of good will into it, then give to the Mother to drink. If a water birth is planned, you can set up a beautiful bowl full of water, that the guests say their wishes into, and keep for Mama to pour in her birthing tub.
Beads: Have each person invited bring or send a bead that they have picked especially for the mother. Let them explain why she chose it for her, and then string all the beads onto a cord for the Mother to wear or keep close during labor. It serves as a beautiful reminder of the circle of women who love and support her.
Bind: At the onset of your ceremony, pass around a ball of yarn or ribbon. Have each participant wrap it around her wrist one or more times and give it to the person next to her, at once making everyone connected. At the end of the Blessingway, have guests cut their cord to create a bracelet they wear until the Mother’s labor is over. Prior to the birth, when they see their bracelet, they can think of the pregnant Mama and send her good thoughts. (I love this!)
Light: Lighting a candle is a great way to bring a sacred feel to the celebration. You can give candles to the guests, or ask them to bring a candle to light during their blessing for the Mother. Afterwards each guest will take her candle home and light it when she hears the mother is in labor.
Pamper: Pamper your pregnant friend with a yummy and relaxing foot, hand or head massage. Or hire a professional pregnancy masseuse to come and give her a treat.
Nourish: Lastly, when inviting, ask friends to bring a delicious dish to share, and feast!

Try some or all of these ideas at your next celebration! Purchase your own Binding Thread at Ecobaby's Etsy shop or Ecobaby.com
For more details and ideas, check out these books!
Mother Rising by Yana Cortlund, Barb Lucke, and Donna Miller Watelet
Blessingways by Shari Maser

A greener disposable!

Ah, the diaper issue. When you have a baby, it can be a pretty daunting prospect. What to use? Cloth? Disposables? Something in between? EC? Because this is such a big issue, I am not going to delve into it now, but for those of you who opt for disposables, I DO want to introduce you to a very green option from a very responsible company!
They're called Bambo-Nature.
Bambo Nature is eco-friendly based upon the raw materials they use, their production, the manufacturing process, and the waste issue.  Most of the environmental damage occurring to our planet is based upon the beginning of a product’s life cycle.  This means the raw materials and production.  Waste and the biodegradable issues are only one tiny part of the subject matter.
They actually publish a report called a Life Cycle Assessment which explicitly lists every aspect of production and manufacturing!
This is what they say:

Bambo Nature has raw materials like wood pulp from sustainable tree farms.
is color-coded and it has the Size of the Diaper on the face of it.
Bambo Nature is the ONLY baby diaper that is certified free of dangerous chemicals and all KNOWN allergens.  There are no dyes, no perfumes, no latex, no essential oils.  There is nothing in it that is known to irritate skin; thus avoiding rashes.
Bambo Nature is physically designed to avoid rashes too. 
Bambo has no rough edges, no creases, no folds.
Bambo is ultra soft.  
Bambo has a wetness indicator (LOVE THIS!)
Bambo has a Super-absorbent core with a unique layer that draws wetness away from baby’s skin, keeping baby dry even with repeat wetting.
Bambo is 98% compostable. 
It is considered the “greenest” and “safest” disposable in Europe and the United States.   
This is what I say: 


Personally, we did EC, and backed up with cloth, but there were times I used a disposable or two. I wish I'd have known about these then! These disposables are awesome in all the ways you could want. Super soft, highly absorbant, and the teeny ones have that little cut out for the umbilical cord! The fact that they're the greenest out there just makes it more amazing! I recommend them to all of my clients and friends, and now to you! 
If you're doing disposable, do Bambo Nature! They offer free shipping on orders over $50.
xoMelanie