shak-shuka

Backpack Baggu

It might be as much of a fashion faux-pas as wearing a fanny pack (sorry for those of you who speak British English, as I know that is an offensive name for something, but not sure what you guys call it!), but I must admit since becoming the mother of a toddler, a diaper bag won't do, instead, I rely on a backpack. Yes, a backpack. Sometimes the crossover-sling bag just doesn't cut it, and I'm more comfortable wearing a backpack than a huge shoulder bag. Comfort rules when you become a parent!

When I spotted the Baggu (known for their reusable, eco-friendly grocery bags) backpacks that were designed by Brooklyn artist Shabd Alexander (who also makes the most beautiful garments, but are a teensy bit out of my price range) - my heart did a little flip. I think I have a soft spot in my hippy heart for tie-dye related things, and this is just the right combo of delicate colors, soft tie-dye look, and function. I am really torn for colors here, so I might just have to get a Shabd Backpack and a Shabd Tote just so I'm fully covered. And did we mention the super green factor? Made from 100% recycled duck canvas, and made without the use of sweatshop labor, so you can feel good schlepping around your 10kg of booty you just picked up for the kiddo......

Safely Quench Your Summertime Thirst

Since summer weather is officially upon us (I say that because I know switched my winter seasonal clothes for summer ones, so it's official.), we've all been downing fresh water to stay cool. It's super easy to stay hydrated these days with bottled water being sold everywhere, but it's hard for me to do, because of two reasons: 1) tap water is actually sometimes even better quality, and it hasn't been lugged in from some exotic corner of the world meaning it's carbon footprint is already pretty bad, and 2) the plastic that they use in water bottles is not usually the finest quality, and we never know if there are BPA's, phthalates, or PVC and lead creeping into our refreshing hydration.

We need a fix, and Mama Shak-Shuka comes to the rescue! Just large enough for both kids and adults (12oz/355ml), the Safe Sporter from Kid Basix has a pull-top spout which is great for action-packed families on the go. Personally I have always been hesitant to actually carry a bottle of water around because I hate to lug around excess weight, but this is small enough to be easily carried in a bag but yet carries enough to keep me hydrated! Best of all, my daughter is super keen on it, as she has progressed from a sippy cup to this Safe Sporter bottle! Kids undoubtedly will feel very "grown up" using it, and it's not too big that they look like they're drinking from a vase. And of course, it's made from stainless steel, so you don't have to worry about any nasties like BPA, PVC or phthlates quenching your thirst instead. All you get is pure, clean, and (almost) free water that keeps both you and the environment happy!

Organically Soothes Aches+Pains

It may seem a little zany that I'm writing about a warming pillow at the beginning of the summer, but there are things that are so good I've got just to share. I don't know about you, but I often suffer from a sore neck (from sitting at the computer all day) or a sore lower back (from picking up a child 100x/day) and heat always helps. I've tried placing a hair dryer on my lower back, but as good as that feels, it doesn't work for a long period of time, or for my neck. Needless to say I needed an alternative, and I found one that not only works for me, but also the entire family.

Leschi makes these adorable warming pillows that are filled with organic wheat and have a velvety soft non-toxic polar fleece cover. I like to warm it up and put it in our beds in the winter as a special "snuggle" treat, or like I said, to soothe and relax an achy body. Children really love their vivid colors, and that they come in gorilla and elephant shapes. Best of all, these warming pillows can also be used as an impromptu bean bag for a quick version of the "hot potato" game. Even though I'm not fond of my aging body's aches and pains, I revel a bit in the fact that I get to use this cute-as-a-button animal pillow that I can (almost) call my own.

The Future's Bright, Wear Eco Shades

Since the sun has (finally!) begun to shine here in gray-days Holland, I've been searching everywhere for my sunglasses. I found one pair that was broken (the expensive ones of course) and the surviving pair (the cheap ones, natch). Oofa. Now it's time to re-think my sunglass-situation and how I'm going to fill the void for my go-to pair when the sun starts to really shine.

With a little bit of research I was able to find a pair that combines both my desire for cool shades (am thinking Wayfarers, or are those so over now?) but with an eco edge. Enter Eco Optics, a company that uses recycled materials in the frames of their glasses, and a whole lot more eco cred: for every pair of glasses purchased, Eco Optics plants a tree, and they are the first consumer brand (and glasses company) to be UL validated, which means that the recycled content must be at least 95% recycled steel. Pretty impressive specs on your (sun)specs, don't ya think?

Umbrella Senz-less

Since I live in a rainy city, and for many people the same is true, I thought it best to write about an item that I keep running into: an umbrella. But not your usual, run-of-the-mill umbrella, this baby is aerodynamic - and for anyone living in a rainy location, they know that rain never travels alone - wind comes along. And POOF! you have an inside-out umbrella in no-time, and a useless umbrella in no time flat. Ugh.

Two of my best friends have this umbrella that I'm speaking about, the Senz Umbrella. Although the Senz looks the same from the front angle, from the side it's a completely different story: short in the front, long in the back - it's the mullet of umbrellas! Not only does the Senz look cool, it's so well thought out you don't even have to know all the features to really appreciate it (because you're too busy taking advantage of it staying dry while all your friends umbrellas are being turned inside-out): aerodynamic shape turns itself in the wind to keep from flipping inside-out, easy to fold shape, and an opening mechanism in the handle! The Senz may not have many eco credentials, but personally I think once you invest in a Senz Umbrella your search for the perfect umbrella is over and you'll never have to buy another one again!

Mamas & Babies on Board

Having moved from big city to small city life (or at least that's how it feels coming from NYC to Rotterdam), we have grown accustom to driving. Although we use our bikes more than any other form of transportation, since we've become parents, it's been essential (not to mention a godsend) to have a car. It makes me cringe to even think of having to have taken public transportation, or my bike (!) when I went into labor to the hospital.

I remember the day we brought my daughter home from the hospital, I felt as though we were carrying cargo more precious than the Wells Fargo wagon. I wished that I had one of those cute "baby on board" signs for the back window so at least people would realize what we had inside and drive more carefully.  Alas we didn't have one when we were driving around, but now we do - at Shak-Shuka! Thanks to the beautiful artistic mastermind Nicole from Ocechou, we have both the "Femme Enceinte a Bord" (pregnant woman) and "Bebe a Bord" (baby on board) stickers that you can place in your car, or anywhere I suppose! These are not your run-of-the-mill stickers: unbelievably cute design of a plump and radiant mama-to-be, or a plump and edible new baby, all gorgeously wrapped in eco-friendly recycled paper. Even though I missed the "Femme Enceinte" phase, I'm still well within the "Bebe a Bord" phase! Drivers beware - exceptionally cute sticker and baby on board!

Keep on Keepin' On (Shoes)

In the "old" days of "me", I would wear high heels about 6 days of the week. I loved the way they looked, made my legs appear long and slim, and I just felt more confident wearing them. Now that I've become a mother, I'm sure I'm not alone when I say that my (extensive) heels collection is now gathering dust. It's a rare occasion when I get to pull out one of my old beauties, but when I do, I know it's marking a special night out.

So what do I wear day-to-day now? Funny you ask (or even if you didn't I'm going to tell you anyways). I am now a sneaker wearing mama. I always saw women who could pull it off on the street, having a "hip urban" kind of look, but I never thought I would be one of them trying it out. I don't know if I succeed, but I sure love the comfort they bring. My trusted "go-to" shoes are now my Keep Guerra high top sneakers. They're warm enough to keep my toes warm even in cold weather (although haven't tried them when it rains or snows!), high enough around my ankle that they feel like a boot, and well, they feel like I'm walking on clouds! Best of all, they are made from 100% natural, man-made materials, making them animal-friendly too. They now have fun designs which feature sustainably grown bamboo-cotton corduroy - what's not to love there! One of my favorite aspects of this shoe is the sole which has a beautiful grass and Keep logo on it, so when you're crossing your legs (or kicking someone I suppose) they get another sneak peek at something special!

And oh yes, for those of you who can't wait to have matching styles for your mini-me, we also happen to have 3 styles of Keep kids shoes on sale at Shak-Shuka! Don't say I didn't warn you on the uber-cute factor!!

Bamboo Eyes on the Prize

Perhaps you're like I am, and you won't invest money in things that you end up breaking about 1 week into buying them - case in point - sunglasses. The more expensive the sunglasses, the quicker I am to either break or lose them, and then I end up swearing off high-fashion sunglasses altogether. The 12euro pair of sunglasses I bought at the department store have outlived any pair of designer shades I've ever had. Consider me (eye) jinxed.

Now throw into the same jinxed pot the fact that I require a large dose of reading glasses when working on the computer (which is almost 10 hours+/day), add a dash of clumsiness, and a heaping dose of raging toddler, and it smells of glass-disaster. Recently my daughter has decided that glasses are NOT for your eyes/head, but instead they serve as a belt (for her tiny waist at least). I would laugh harder at her if I wasn't so terrified she was going to break my designer specs to bits. Instead I let her play and just count down the seconds til I have to buy a new pair....and so the search begins.

But wait! There's already an eco alternative that I found that I can't wait to get my paws on! Back up glasses have gone bamboo!!! Unbelievable, but true - Amy Sacks creates eyeglass frames from bamboo, and they are not more expensive than buying a high-end brand, meaning you spend less green when you're going green. I personally love big, dorky style glasses (or as my brother-in-law calls them "birth control glasses") and for me the Bamboo Masa Moss really hit the mark. I'm so excited about this new find that I can't wait to trade my current glasses in for these Bamboo specs and use them as my regular go-to's! So hopefully you won't be as (glasses) jinxed as I am, but if you are, now you know where to go for an eyeglass refill!!

Annie the Green Belle of Fashion

Even though I am a reformed shop-a-holic, I still have my weaknesses: sample sales, outlets, specialty boutiques - ok, this isn't painting a good picture of my renounced shopping self. Anyways, one of the weaknesses that I have managed to renounce is Topshop, but last time I went to London I found out that they have a small (read: tiny) collection of organic, vintage and fair trade designers. When I visited, I discovered a designer that I had never heard of before, who makes really fashion-forward clothing not expected of "green" designers.

Annie Greenabelle is a fair trade, UK brand that makes retro-looking pieces from organic and repurposed fabrics. There is a real 50's vibe from some of her pieces (especially the dresses). At my last visit to Topshop, there was a shirt that I liked that I am now kicking myself I didn't get. Is the fact that I still kick myself over not buying something mean that I am not in reality a reformed shop-a-holic? I'd like to think not. Greenabelle has unique and affordable pieces that you won't find anywhere else, and I'm currently coveting the Ballerina Dress and trying to figure out where my (non-ballerina) self would wear it. Maybe I'll start with the Shirt Dress instead which is a bit more "mama-reality" friendly!

www.anniegreenabelle.com

Nursing Mama Time

Occasionally I see mothers who are breastfeeding their babies, and a part of me is a bit jealous. I loved that special bonding time between myself and my daughter, but yet I also seem to forget all the challenges that came with it: my milk coming in for the first time (inconveniently called "let down"!?), learning to "latch" on, finding shirts that were breast-accessible, and the challenge of whipping out your breast in public and maintaining some sort of discreetness. A lot of time has passed since my nursing days, and only now do I feel like I can fully comprehend what an immense responsibility and joy it is to nurture your child from your own body.

Naturally, only now that I'm not breastfeeding, am I discovering all these amazing products for the breastfeeding mothers. I'm lucky enough to have Shak-Shuka to be able to share these great finds with customers, as I hope it helps other women to be as comfortable (and dare I say stylish?) while they're nursing their little one. One of the biggest challenges I had once I established a nursing routine was: how do I get the deed done ASAP and in public? Here are some great solutions: Frugi makes these ingenious Nursing Kaftans that have perfect slits to get your "girls" out and accessible - and by "out", I mean a realistic opening and not a sliver of an opening like other nursing tops! And to keep you covered up and discreet while nursing, we have Itzy Ritzy's Eco Nursing Covers in a slew of colors and fabrics, with the underside facing baby in cozy bamboo. No eco-nursing mama is complete without a replacement for her disposable nursing pads with our snazzy Glitzy Gals Bamboo Nursing Pads - fun, functional, and stylish! I remember going through boxes of disposable nursing pads before I realized there was an eco replacement...just never this nice!

So if you or someone you know is breastfeeding, then now you have some new nursing basics available at Shak-Shuka to make this important time in your life even more fabulous. We just wish we had found it all earlier so we could have taken advantage ourselves!!!