Better than a Birchbox {at least for the environment}

With all this talk of Birchboxes, {a sample box, many women are subscribing to for monthly goodies} I was curious what organic or environmentally conscientious "boxes" were out there.  Here's what I found!

For the Mamas {with or without kids}:

Conscious Box. {leaves and pine cones not included}

Conscious Box
I think their mission statement says it all.  But basically they are just a really aware group sharing resourceful and purposeful organic and environmentally friendly products.  So, the things you have to use; like toothbrushes, snacks and lip balm, you can find in a green alternative.


Pink Moment
This box specializes in beauty products that are not only good for your appearance but also the earth. See all their sample companies here.

Blissmo Box
With a seriously long list of Organic companies, there is a sample for everyone!  They even have awareness of vegan and gluten free products!

Green Grab Bag
This bag comes with a minimum of six organic {toxin free} beauty samples every month for $15 a month, shipping is free.

Eco-Emi
Also only $15 a month (shipping not included), "recieve 5-10 samples of of natural, organic, green, eco-friendly, cruelty free, vegan, vegetarian or Fair Trade products to your door wrapped in chic earth friendly packaging!"

For the Kiddos:

Green Kid Crafts
This sounds like so much fun! I'm always trying out new projects with The Cupcake! This box contains at least 3 inspiring projects each month that will engage your kiddo with the world and with nature!

Garden crate from Kiwi Crate.

Kiwi Crate
This crate is about $20 a month and they have a wide selection of crates with various activities.

Little Passports
I don't know eco conscious this company is, but it's a great idea!!  Basically, every month, your kid receives a box with information about a foreign country.  It's got letters, stickers,photos and souvenirs, definitely something I want Sonja to have, since I plan on having her be well traveled!  Prices range from 11.95 per month prepaid to over $100 for a whole year.  

For the Papas {with or without kids}:

Birchbox Men
None of the other ones I found had a gender specific box for men.  So, even though it's not always organic products, I think this is the best guy box out there at the moment!


I found that most boxes ranged from about $10 monthly plus shipping to about $20 monthly sometimes including free shipping. Most could be ordered monthly and cancelled at any time, but there were discounts for prepaying for a whole year.

Now, I probably shouldn't have looked because now I want a subscription to each of them... Maybe Husband will get me one for my birthday.  The kids ones are what I'm going to tell the grandparents to get my Cupcake.  A gift a month?! What more could a kid ask for?!

What do you think?

Do you subscribe to a sample box?  Is it worth the cost? I never buy things for myself; cosmetically or fashionably so I'm curious if I'd even enjoy the items.

Let me know in the comments below.

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p.s. if you have a moment, I'd really appreciate your vote. Click the banner below and then the owl on the left. {No email required and no spam generated! promise}

Freebie Friday no. 2 {Weekly Toddler Care Chart}

This Friday I wanted to share a little chart I made for Sonja and I to get into a better routine.

I wanted to make sure, when I teach, the people watching her know what's going on and where to take over.  Since the people we trust her with are a select group, they know what to expect.  So, I don't have to be extremely specific, but I do need to tell them if she's eaten or if they need to feed her, offer her water or get her ready for certain activities, like naps and such.

Above is Sonja's chart, but I uploaded a blank name one you for you guys below: 

Available for download here.

Happy Freebie Friday.

-Jenn

P.S. If I left something major out, remind me in the comments so I can update this chart.  Or is there something you do that you'd like to see on here?  I'll add that too!

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Before and After Kitchen Shelves {How to install IKEA shelves}

I'm so excited about my new pantry!  We don't really have one in this house and we've been storing our dry food in the laundry room cupboards, which is inconvenient.  So, my mom offered to purchase these new shelves for us, and Husband hung them up as an Anniversary present.  They weren't difficult, per se, they were just time consuming and not really something I could do while watching Sonja.  I helped though!  

First, I marked all the holes on the left by making sure they would fit above the light switch.

HOWEVER! I didn't think about the electrical box sitting in the wall, granted we didn't have any problems, I would recommend moving it up or over if you have a similar set up.

I marked with pencil inside of the holes, but Husband requested in the future, to use a marker.

I spaced them out every 13 inches so a 12 inch item could fit on the shelves

I also marked 5 inches away from the door frame to make sure they lined up and were centered.

Do not attempt this without a level, you will hate everything if you have to redrill into concrete/brick because your shelves aren't level.

These shelves didn't come with screws for the wall.  So, we picked up a set of screws and anchors from home depot and they were a good fit for our brick wall.

We used the red ones, but it's great to have all these sizes for different projects in the future.

Even though Husband claims he will never drill into the brick again.

We'll see about that...

Close up.

LEVEL it's really important to double check your work before you start drilling in the final set!

**SOMETHING IMPORTANT, we didn't realize was that each shelf was slightly different.  We're talking 2 or 3 cm different.  So, my original marks were slightly off.**

MAKE SURE TO MARK EACH SHELF "SHELF 1,"  "SHELF 2," AND SO ON, THEN MARK THE WALL FOR EACH SELF RESPECTIVELY AS ASSEMBLED.  

The times he had to re-drill, because the holes were slightly off, were so frustrating for him and I felt like it was my fault {even though it wasn't}!

Done and Done.

I'm so happy with my new shelves and bulk storage.  Now, I can see when we're low on something and I don't have to walk all the way to the laundry room when making meals.  It's a perfect set up for our home and pretty too!

Thanks Husband!

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Food Club Meeting no. 1

The first rule of food club is; do not talk about food club.

The second rule of food club is; you do not talk about food club.

No.

wait,

that's a different club...

This club is for my ladies who love food.  Some women have book clubs, we have a food club. We've decided to have monthly meetings around town, and try all the new and up & coming restaurants {and bars}.  This month's meeting took place at La Grande Orange {also known as LGO}.  Although, I've been there before, we decided to try it again since my friend, Erin, had never been there.  They have the best Vodka Lemonade.  So, when she mentioned she wanted to try it, I didn't object.  Good thing, because, actually about half the ladies who joined us had never been there!

Here's our first meeting, in photographs...

The Menu. 

Lucy's Spiked Lemonade by the pitcher. 

It's a rosemary lemonade with vodka.

Highly Recommended.

The Gals...

The Food:

Spinach Apple Pecan Salad {with Manchego Cheese}

So, So, Amazing.  If you like salad, apples or cheese you must try this!

Large Order of Fries. 

Cheese Pizza. 

My attempt at a photo of the Roasted Corn Pizza. 

{Please, excuse the blur and the sneaky V. in the background}

This is the Avocado Pizza and Rocket Man Pizza in the background.

We all shared the pizzas trading slices around and we all thoroughly enjoyed the spiked lemonade.

After trying ALL the vegetarian pizzas, I have to say the Roasted Corn and Rocket Man were my favorites but the Avocado was also really good.

Creeps and Receipts.

$171 before tip. Not bad for 9 ladies and 2 pitchers of alcohol.

Favorite Appetizer: Spinach Apple Pecan Salad {with Manchego Cheese}

Favorite Entree: Roasted Corn Pizza

Favorite Drink: Lucy's Spiked Lemonade {their regular lemonade is also good!}

Best part of the meal? When the drinks arrived!

1-10 Service {0 worst, 10 best}: 8.5 {I can't give a 10 the first time! Nothing was necessarily amazing, nor bad, food came on time and drinks were full}

Cost {$  $$  $$$  $$$$!}: $$ {slightly more expensive per person because of the alcohol}

Mistakes {corrections?}: There was only one mistake; the server brought fries to the table and set them in front of the wrong person.  He implied they were for the table, and it wasn't until half way through the meal we realized they weren't a bonus appetizer.  They were someone, on the other end of the table's, side dish.  He apologized and brought her the side of fries, and only charged us for the one.  Which I think, is the proper solution to that situation.  

Reservations? No. They don't accept Reservations, even for large groups.  At least 1/2 the party must be present to be seated.

Would we eat there again? Yes

Just a tip about the tip; when dining in large groups bring cash and always plan on tipping 20%  

Even if you don't like the server or think they were short/annoying/sarcastic, if your drinks were always full and your food was on time 20% is the only respectable amount.  

For those of you reading this that have never worked in the restaurant industry, it's important to note when you tip, you're not just tipping your server, you're also tipping the bus boy/girl, the bartender (EVEN IF YOU DIDN'T ORDER ALCOHOL) and sometimes the hostess, about 5% of your bill is "tipped out" to the above mentioned staff, so when you tip 20% you're really tipping the server 15%.  

The whole thing was so much fun, I almost bought Sonja this adorable LGO shirt...

And that was our first Food Club Meeting.  A sweet success and we already have our July meeting planned.  So, check back next month!

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Anniversary 2012 {Staycation}

Husband and I celebrated our four year anniversary this weekend by staying at the Hotel Valley Ho, here in Phoenix, well, technically, Scottsdale.  It was super fun, and our first baby free night since Cupcake was born!  Can you believe she's slept in bed with us for the past 21 months?! She had a great time with her uncle Wayne and aunt Gretchen.  And had fun too...

Husband opening his gift box.

I booked this place strictly because of that tub.

I like that the side of this building reminds me of the sprinkles we saw at A.J.s 

We stopped at P.F. Chang's for some happy hour snacks before our real date.  I thoroughly enjoyed my Asian Pear Mojito.

I forgot to pack my brush! BUT, was somehow able to braid my hair anyway.

All dressed up for our real date!  Dress complements of Desert Gypsy Mama!

We tried Stingray for the first time.  A little loud for a romantic date, but the Sushi was good and the sake was even better!

On the walk back to our hotel we passed a ton of art galleries in Old Town Scottsdale.

I loved this giant head!

So, remember that tub?! This was probably my favorite feature of our room.

Who doesn't love a "Mood" light?!

Before.

After.

I ordered the Brioche lemon french toast with berries and Husband had some coffee.

They brought this adorable flower with the food too.

Not the BEST brioche I've ever had, but close!

I love these cabanas with mirrors that look like windows!

photo credit: Husband.

I thought it would be good time to plan some lessons and update my schedules...

I may or may not have fallen asleep instead.

And that was our weekend, hope you had a great one too!

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