Have you ever tried to sit down and explain to your kids what a blogger is?  Why you spend all day on Facebook?  Why you have parties on Twitter? Then you need a copy of “My Mommy is a Blogger” by Sommer Poquette (Green and Clean Mom).  I finally broke down and ordered my own personal copy and decided to keep it for my kids for Christmas so they haven’t read it yet.  While they haven’t read it I had to sneak a peek for myself.

OMG – I was laughing hysterically as I was reading it.  I was afraid that I was going to wake up the kids and they’d see me reading it and want to see what was so funny.  Sommers’ kids are about the same age as mine so I think I’ve had some of these same conversations with my kids (and my hubby).  I think next year for the Great American Teach In I’m going to convince my kids teacher to let me come in and read “My Mommy is a Blogger” and explain to them what I do for a living.

If you are a blogger and have elementary age kids I think your kids would really enjoy this story.  It’s well written and I love the cute illustrations.  If you order now there may still be time to get an autographed copy sent in time for the holidays.  If you order from her website, Sommer will package your book herself in recycled paper (I think mine was in a brown bag or shipping paper).

I can’t wait to read this with my kids and get their reactions!!

To find out more about Sommer and her book:

Green and Clean Mom blog

My Mommy is a Blogger

Sommer on Facebook

Disclosure:  I paid for my copy of the book and was in no way influenced to write this post.  I am an affiliate for the book so if you make a purchase using the links above I earn a small percentage of the sale to keep the lights on around this blog.  Thank you in advance if you choose to make a purchase using my link.  XOXO!

Related posts:

1. My Mommy is a Blogger – by Sommer Poquette My son always asks me “mommy what are you doing...
2. Eco-Crafting with Kids When I was little I always had dreams of being...
3. Are you influential offline? We met our neighbors tonight (the lame part is that...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Giveaway alert! Enter to win a prize package from YouCanMakeThis.com valued at over $50 in downloadable patterns.

Do you make any of your own holiday gifts?  I always have big dreams of making lots of fun homemade gifts for friends and family but I usually end up with just one or two by the time the busy holiday rush is all over.  Last year I was fairly proud of myself for making my daughter a complete set of felt food and a few doll outfits, diapers, and accessories.  Not sure how much I’ll actually accomplish this year.

Where do I get my inspiration and directions to make my projects?  As you well know I’m a Pinterest addict so I do find a lot of projects on there.  If I’m really looking for something specific though I know I can usually find the pattern and directions at YouCanMakeThis.com.  I found this website a few years ago and it actually inspired me to buy a sewing machine and re-teach myself how to sew.  You can download a pattern (some are free, while others are available at varying prices), have it delivered to your email immediately, and begin sewing (or crafting) while the inspiration is still flowing.

They are always running specials and promotions for free e-books and patterns with your purchase.  I love getting their emails because they always send you a page full of inspirational projects.  It really is motivating to get on their mailing list.  I actually save some of my favorite emails to reference at a later time when I’m feeling crafty.

And guess what?  Many of the projects I can create with found items around the house.  Did I ever tell you that my stash of t-shirts is growing.  My husband is a t-shirt whore (seriously the man must have a new message tee anytime he see’s them on clearance at Target) but his love of them is usually short term.  I mean how often can you wear a t-shirt that says “Tank you very much” and has a picture of an army tank on it.  Anyways – I save all his ‘retired’ tee’s and use them to get crafty with.  It’s a great way to upcycle them and give them a second life.  I’ve also used thrift store finds like pillowcases and sheets too.

Go check them out and see what types of fun projects you can find for you and your family.  I’d love to hear what project you’d like to make first.  Would you keep it for yourself or gift it during the holidays?  If you get a chance to visit them in the next hour you still may be able to catch some of their Cyber Monday specials with pricing as low as $5 for a TON of patterns.

To learn more:  YouCanMakeThis.com (affiliate link)

Disclosure: I received two fabulous e-books for this review with some great holiday inspirations and patterns. I haven’t even had a chance to begin sewing the projects but I’m excited to make some cute doll outfits from the “Sew Boutique for Dolly” e-book.

Related posts:

1. My Pinterest Boards Yes, I am addicted to Pinterest!  You can read more...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Do you have an eco-junkie to buy for this year?  

Know someone who doesn’t like stuff?  

Looking for something non-toxic to get a special child?  

Here are my top eco-holiday quick picks – with something special for everyone on your list.  

1. Itsabelly Guide to Going Green With Baby - By Melissa Moog & Jennifer Lo Prete  

2.  aden + anais Organic Muslin Swaddlers – Lil’s blankie of choice is now available in even more varieties and colors. 

3.  Global Green Pals - These eco-friendly dolls will become your child’s new best friend.  

4.  Piggy Paint – Project Earth - Safe nail polish for that tween in your life – now is Glow in the Dark too!  Use coupon code ECO10L to save 10% on anything at Piggy Paint through December 31, 2010.

5.  One Life Jewelry - A personal favorite homemade from a friend down the street from me whom I don’t talk to enough. XOXO! 

6.  Recycled Koby Jewelry - Made special for TerraCycle from 100% recycled silver by Canadian jeweler, Arthur Koby.  

7.  Blue Line PowerCost Monitor for Microsoft hohm -  Find out how much energy your home is using right now!     

Who’s your eco-junkie and what will you be getting for them? 

Disclosure:  All items featured in this gift guide have been personally reviewed by me and were provided to me by the companies.  I’m still trying to configure our PowerCost monitor and will follow up with you on our personal experience with that system soon.     

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

**Giveaway Alert** Check out my second offer for a great eco-chic giveaway from kateylove jewelry!  ECO-ngratulations Sarah H!

Mother’s Day is just a week away – what are you getting your mom this year?  Do you have a wish list of your own?  Here are just a few ideas compliments of my beloved sponsors.

1.  Lillunia- If you haven’t visited Lillunia yet you really should.  These find ladies make some adorable artwork and prints that are perfect for a nursery or child’s room.  They have a new photo album on the front page that shows you some creative ways to display their work.  My favorite room in their album is the pink and brown room with the Koala print.  Laura from Lillunia has offered my readers a special discount for 15% off with code TheEcoChicMoms.  Don’t forget that you can customize any piece with names and dates; just let them know when you checkout.

2.  kateylove jewelry - I wish I had a picture of me wearing my own kateylove necklace but I’m a little camera shy (I prefer pics of my beautiful children).  If you are looking for a simple but elegant piece of environmentally friendly jewelry (eco-chic) look no further than kateylove!  Her pieces are all made with organic and found materials.  The leather in the cording is not new leather…it’s been saved and reused.  All stones are conflict free.  katey is a native Californian and has a passion for jewelry, the ocean, and of course the environment.  She operates a sustainable buisness from her energy reduction efforts to the purchase recycled content mailers.  A portion of all sales even go to local environmental efforts. 

Want to win this Citrine necklace from her Terra Collection?  Visit kateylove jewelry and tell me one thing you learned about her line of jewelry.  Leave your comment below; one comment per person.  One extra entry can be earned by sharing this post (with link) on Twitter.   Giveaway ends May 10th, 2010 (midnight ET).  Contest closed! ECO-ngratulations Sarah H!

3.  And for those cloth diaper addicted mama’s – don’t forget to share this Diaper Shops coupon code with your family!  We all know that you really want new fluff for Mother’s Day…don’t deny it!  10% discount off your next order at Kelly’s Closet with code AFTERPARTY. (Cannot be used on bG,flip,econobum*) Exp. 5/4.   Limit one code per order and you may only use each code one time! Not good on any previous orders. 

4.  Grab Your Bags - Every eco-minded mama has a stash of reusable bags but how many times do you forget to take them with you!  It’s called Bagnesia!  Why not give her a Reusable Bag Reminder Kit this year for Mother’s Day.  The kits include a compact reusable shopping bag, a door hanger, a steering wheel wrap, a clip, and reusable pouch for storage.  You will never forget your bag again!  The kits normall sell for $14.99 but from now through Mother’s Day (2010) they have been reduced to $11.99 – a 20% savings!  I think it’s time I get myself a second set for my stash.

I’ll share my Mother’s Day present with you all next week.  Yes, I already have it (I think).  I came home with a new piece of jewelry the other day and hubby informed me that it was my present to myself.  Aren’t I a lucky mama?  What about you? Do you shop for yourself…or does your family surprise you?

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Giveaway Alert! Two readers will receive a digital subscription to Mothering Magazine from doudou bebe! Coupon code valid for Cyber Monday only (I know it’s almost over…boo!)  ECO-ngratulations Dionna and Jenny B!

While tweeting this morning about all of my wonderful giveaways in the Eco-Holiday Gift Guide I was approached by doudou bebe and asked to help promote their store.  While I’m not in Canada I do love to share great eco-friendly stores with you all. 

doudou bebe is an online retailer selling a great line of organic bath and body products from Erbaviva that look wonderful.  They also sell pouch slings and Moby wraps for those baby wearing mama’s out there!  doudou bebe offers a great selection of wooden, organic and silk toys that would make a great holiday gift for those eco-babies and tots!  

Website:  http://www.doudoubebe.com/default.asp
Twitter:  http://twitter.com/doudoubebe

Buy It!  Want to get a few last minute Cyber Monday specials? Visit doudou bebe and save 10% with coupon code THX10! Code valid until Midnight TONIGHT!!! (I’ll see what I can do to update if a new code becomes available later!)

Win It!  Two lucky readers will receive a digital subscription to Mothering Magazine compliments of doudou bebe!  To enter visit doudou bebe and tell me what your favorite items are…leave your comment below to be entered. 

Extra Entries:
-Enter any of my other Eco-Holiday Gift Guide Giveaways (Leave a comment telling me which one’s you’ve entered.)
-Follow my blog with Google Friend Connect
-Subscribe using Feedburner or other reader (Leave your email addy)
-Add my button to your blog or site (Leave a link to your blog)
-Blog about this giveaway and the Eco-Holiday Gift Guide  (Leave a link to your blog)
-Share this giveaway with your friends (Leave me a comment telling me how)

Giveaway open worldwide to anyone over the age of 18 yrs old.  Must leave a comment for each entry with a maximum of 10 entries total for this giveaway.  Giveaway ends December 10, 2009 at midnight (EST).  Entrants must leave their email to be contacted if they are selected.

LEAVE YOUR COMMENTS HERE TO ENTER!

Giveaway ended! Eco-ngratulations Dionna and Jenny B!

More from the Eco-Holiday Gift Guide.

*This post was sponsored by doudou bebe.

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.