What's New in Home and Living (January 1-7, 2008)
Adding ethnic elements into your living space creates a warm atmosphere of culture and old-world traditions. Whether you hang African masks on your living room walls or read by the light of a rice paper Japanese lamp, your home will become a cozy refuge for rest and relaxation.If you have been thinking about incorporating more ethnicity into your decor this year, we recommend these online stores.
Novica World Crafts
World Market
Importu
Target's Global Bazaar
Pier 1 Imports
Antiki
We Recommend:
This charming mask takes the shape of a full moon with human features. Decorated with parallel lines, it represents a zebra. "The zebra is known to be cute and gentle. So I took the opportunity to depict it," Abdul Karim Star says. Such masks come from the Dagomba people of Ghana.Buy at Novica.com
The art of henna tattooing, or Mendhi, is an old tradition used generally for celebrating events or marking rituals. The art of applying henna to skins serving as the shades for lamps on iron frames, as an artwork, is a relatively new tradition, but has been perfected by the skilled artisans of Morocco. Buy at Importu.com.
Creating an ethnic home may seem easy, but sometimes it can be a little difficult matching pieces and creating the perfect look for your home. Before you turn your home into an ethic eyesore pick up a copy of African Style: down to the details.
posted by Mommy Too! Magazine @ 7:20 AM,
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What's New In Home & Living (December 24-31)
We know the holidays can impose a heavy toll on mothers that's why it is imperative to get back balanced and healthy, especially as the new year nears.
As busy moms ourselves, we know we can't always make it to the day spa, but we can definitely recreate a blissful spa atmosphere at home. Here's what we've found from two of our favorite stores: Gaiam.com: A Lifestyle Destination
Linen Puff Chair
The wonderfully cushioned Linen Puff Chair is so supremely comfortable you could, quite possibly, spend the entire day nestled in it. Scrolled recycled steel frame is durable, rust-proofed and powder-coated. Natural fiber cover in linen. Generously filled with CFC-free foam. USA. $298.00 
Zen Fountain
Create a contemplative space with this fountain's artful arrangement of natural elements. It combines a handmade copper bowl, two copper bars, tumbled slate, trickling water and a flickering tea light (bamboo not included). The Chinese symbol for prosperity is hand-painted on the upper slate tile. USA. $129.00
Hinoki Sauna/
Shower StoolsA stool for the sauna or shower must resist bacteria and humidity. Hinoki wood -- aromatic Japanese cypress -- contains natural antibacterial and antifungal agents, as well as therapeutic minerals and essential oils, and it never rots. Japan's famous soaking baths are made of Hinoki; so is the 1,300-year-old Horyuji Temple, which means you won't have to worry about replacing this stool in your lifetime. Choose low (11"w x 7"h x 7"d) for foot and leg care, tall (14"w x 15 ½"h x 9 ½"d) for seating. Exquisitely crafted in Japan.
$199.00
Hang this plaque on your door or just inside, where guests (and family members) are sure to see it. It's a greeting, a blessing, and a heartfelt welcome. Made in a small studio in Germany, cast in solid bronze, plaque arrives gift boxed. 6" x 2 ½", ready to hang. $49.00.
posted by Mommy Too! Magazine @ 9:06 PM,
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What's New in Home and Living (December 16-23, 2007)
I am far from being a die hard "eco-mom" but there are green household products that I never do without. Here are a few that smell great, don't test on animals, and help the environment all at the same time and remain a major part of my arsenal of cleaning products. -Jennifer James, Editor of MommyToo.com.
Seventh Generation Liquid DetergentI do not wash my family's dishes with anything other that Seventh Generation's dishwashing liquid. I am extremely partial to their new Lavender and Mint blend. It smells amazing! And when the dish detergent goes down the drain it's not going to contribute to killing nature and animals; in fact it's biodegradable, non-toxic, hypo-allergenic and is gently scented with whole and natural plant essences. Although the price is a little higher than buying a 99 cent bottle of dish detergent you'll rest easier knowing that when you wash dishes you're doing your part to keep our earth clean.
ECOVER All Purpose Cleaner
Cleaning my home was always a chore until I started using all-natural products -- they simply smell wonderful which makes cleaning up a whole lot more enjoyable! I am in love with ECOVER's All Purpose Cleaner. It's 100 percent biodegradable, is made of plant based ingredients and causes minimum impact on aquatic life when it goes into our drain systems.
A REAL
PLUS! Again, I cannot reiterate enough how good their All Purpose Cleaner smells. Aaah! As I am writing this review I just opened the cap and smelled it. So beautiful.ECOVER Toilet Bowl Cleaner
As a mom I am more concerned about how the products I buy affect my household. I love that these biodegradable products place minimal harm on the environment. I'm more happy, though, that I am putting less chemicals in my home.
I never clean my toilet with anything other than ECOVER's toilet bowl cleaner. I love the rosemary pine fragrance blend and I also love how the creamy soap doesn't leave harsh marks in the bowl.
A REAL PLUS! For the price there is nothing better than being able to buy a great cleaning product that doesn't smell severely toxic, but instead leaves a natural rosemary and pine fragrance in your bathroom.
Seventh Generation Bathroom Tissue
OK, I have to admit buying all-natural bathroom tissue can be seen to many as an unnecessary expense, especially since it's going down the pipes anyway. But here's why I buy it. Every time I pick up a roll it says:
If every household in the U.S. replaced just one roll of 500 sheet virgin fiber bathroom tissue with 100% recycled ones, we could save:That's worth it to me. Plus, Seventh Generation's bathroom tissue contains no inks or dyes and is whitened without chlorine bleach.
* 448,000 trees,
* 1.1 million cubic feet of landfill space, equal to 1,700 full garbage trucks,
* and 161 million gallons of water, a year's supply for 1,270 families of four!
A Real Plus! Buying natural bathroom tissue was a real step for me because the alternatives cost so much less. But I really felt like an "eco-mom" when I made the transition.
WHERE TO BUY: Visit your local health food store to find these featured products and more.
Labels: home, living, living green
posted by Mommy Too! Magazine @ 8:47 PM,
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