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Check em' out

Portland

June 04, 2008

Going Green with Lawn Care _ Portland's Good Green Neighbors

Well, I have hit a point that I just don't have the time to do everything (be an at- home mom to my six year old, design, run a business, take care of the house etc etc), so having someone else cut the grass is well, a luxury! I still feel "new" here to Portland so I am not familiar with all the businesses, but I have found a green lawn care company!!
Starting next week my grass will be mowed with a  bio-diesel lawnmower and by a company that is green (only organic fertilizer here). I will fill you in with photos and more photos after they get started.

If you are in the Portland area you can give Good Green Neighbors a call, they are green + friendly.

4009-5107


Blessings,
Justyn
Organic cotton children's clothes made with low impact dyes

May 13, 2008

Two Women, Fair Trade and a Whole- lot- of Love: Bambootique

Bambootique is an online store in Oregon that offers gifts that you can feel good about because they support women and their families from around the world, and they good products. Beth and Tammy created Bambootique in 2006 and sell their goods online as well as at trunk shows.
        " Each purchase you make from Bambootique directly links you to a woman artisan and her family,while providing you with a unique product you won't find anywhere else. While we believe in the importance of our mission, we hope it's our beautiful products that you bring you back again  and again!" owners of Bambootique

As members of the Fair Trade Federation and Co-op America ,Bambootique adheres to the principles of fair trade as outlined by the Fair Trade Federation.

According to the FTF, fair trade criteria include:

Paying fair wages in local context
Supporting participatory workplaces
Ensuring environmental sustainability
Supplying financial and technical support
Respecting cultural identity
Offering public accountability
Educating consumers

Beth has a blog with some great tips and good info. Worth checking out! A interesting and eco-happy fact is that Beth reuses all packing materials and has not had to buy bubble wrap, boxes etc. I love what these ladies are doing and hope you will support them. You can buy online or if you are in the Portland area sign up to be on their list for future trunk shows.

Blessings,
Justyn
We make certified organic cotton baby and children's clothes using fair trade practices...Go Natural Baby.

May 09, 2008

May 10, 2008 Cafe au Play Spring Fair in Portland

Go Natural Baby likes to announce local  family events and we especially like Cafe au Play!

REMINDER  -  Tabor Commons Spring Fair and Fund Raiser

WHEN: Saturday, May 10th, 12 Noon – 5:00 p.m.

WHERE: Tabor Commons on Division at 56th (next to the Dairy Queen)

WHY: To raise money for renovating the Tabor Commons building, future site of Cafe au Play. 

DETAILS: Our first fair at this site will include:
The Farm Stand will be selling local jams and honeys.
Local seamstresses and artists Karen Rutledge and Sallie LaValley will sell handcrafted purses and accessories.
Bring the family.  A craft table staffed by Café au’ Play will help your children make a Mothers Day gift.***
Drop off your used and unwanted computers, monitors and accessories.  These items will be refurbished or recycled. ***
Drop off unwanted hazardous household products such as pesticides, leftover paint, solvents and automotive fluids.  These items will be then taken to a Metro drop off center. ***
CONTACT:    Pat Rice at 503-997-8213

*** Donations will be accepted as we work hard together to raise money to renovate our Tabor Commons Community Center.

Cafe au Play on Youtube

More about Cafe au Play in Portland...

Café au Play is a nonprofit organization whose goal is to open a community center coffeehouse for families and people of all ages. There will be activities for children and support programs for caregivers.

            

Our mission is to help families combat the isolation that often comes with having young children by helping them create support networks and connect to local resources.  Café au Play will be an enriching learning community for families - a place where families can connect to information, activities, and people. Proceeds from the coffee bar will provide funding for programs and services.

            
Café au Play begins with the premise that one of the best ways to support children is to nurture connections among caregivers, promote the mental health of parents, and empower people of all ages to see themselves as both givers and receivers of resources. We want to foster spontaneous and genuine community among families in Portland, reaching out to underserved and isolated families. Unlike a typical community center, Café au Play will offer food and drink, a familiar and communal activity that promotes social interaction. And the activities, classes, and support groups offered at Café au Play will be available to all patrons on a drop-in basis. The coffeehouse will provide a welcoming, comfortable environment where children and adults can gather on a daily basis so over time, they can develop lasting friendships and exchange resources.
            

The participation of young adults and the elderly, who are sometimes segregated from young children, are particularly important to another aspect of our mission - to facilitate community between generations. The older person who reads to young children feels needed and appreciated. The young child who sees teenagers perform music or drama sees possibilities for herself. Our partnerships with local senior centers and schools will help establish relationships that simultaneously support families, young adults, and seniors.

March 08, 2008

Pastrycat: Organic Yummy Treats in St. Johns

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Okay, you need a good homemade fix,but are too tired to bake yourself a homemade cake or muffin. No problem, Pastrycat in St. Johns makes yummy and healthy muffins,cookies, cakes, and more from scratch daily! They also have coffee and espresso drinks (they use 100% real vanilla).

"If it's not food , don't eat it" - a tip from Pastrycat.
Some quick facts about Pastrycat:
- they use quality food products from local companies (like People's Co-Op)
-they only use dairy that is hormone, rBST, and steroid free
- cagefree eggs (above also applies)
- all pastry is trans fat free (no hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated fats)

Go Natural Baby gives Pastrycat a super thumbs up. Not only do they have fresh, awesome goodies,but they give back to the community! All leftover food is donated to local food programs and they are trying to help get musical instrument donations for Roosevelt High School's music program.


Custom Orders Available: Moms, this is a fantastic place to get your party treats for your little one's birthday! You will not have the typical sugar meltdowns (ask for their gingerbread cake made with maple syrup). My son has had them for his birthday parties for years now (the owner is my sister) and the kid's love the cakes - they are super good, moist and sweet.

Hours: Tuesday-Friday: 6:00 am- noon
Saturday and Sunday: 7:30am 3:30pm
Closed Mon

Location: Pastrycat is located in the historic St. John’s neighborhood at 7337 N. Lombard St, between Burr and Buchanan on the north side of the street. "We are the tiny pink building, but don't be fooled by the exterior- like my mother always said "it's what's inside that counts"."

Blessings,
Justyn
Go Natural Baby: Organic Cotton for Baby and Kids

Declan's Straw Trick - Hawthorne Blvd.

Yikes... I have been ill for a week now and unable to post until now. Part 2 of our Hawthorne Blvd. trip. First we had a rockin' hair cut at Bishops on Hawthorne Blvd (thanks Stephanie). Then we went to the Tabor Hill Cafe (SE Hawthorne Blvd) for some cheap eats. The food at the Tabor Hill Cafe is good and inexpensive ( we love their french fries - not greasy). Also, the owners are super sweet and always remember their customers!
Photos of Declan's "straw trick" ( he is 5 after all). (The trick is he can "magically" hold the root beer in his straw without it "falling" out)

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Feel free to share your kid's "tricks" with us! We love to hear from you.
Blessings,
Justyn

Go Natural Baby: Organic Cotton Baby and Children's Clothing

March 03, 2008

Bishops on Hawthorne - Rockin' Hair

Dec's hair was getting a bit long. I don't mind but his chief complaint is, he can't see, so off to Bishops on Hawthorne for a rockin' haircut. Bishops is my favorite place to get a haircut in Portland. Let's face it good music, great stylists, and beer while you wait is about as good as it gets for haircuts. I skip the beer because me and my kid are going to hang out and take pics. Here are a few:

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Time to say goodbye to Stephanie, the hip, super sweet chic who cut his awesome 80's look - love it. Thanks Stephanie!


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Blessings,
Justyn
Go Natural Baby: Organic Cotton Children's CLothes

All photos and copy are copywritten by Justyn LeDrew ©2008 All rights reserved.