Ecoist handbags and accessories reduce trash and help families

You've probably seen those bags made out of candy wrappers and chip bags -- they've been in lots of fashion magazines. I had heard about them, too, but had no idea the company that sells them, Ecoist, is right here in Miami.

Last weekend when I went on the Chevy Eco Chic Tour, I got to visit the Ecoist office and learn more about how the fun bags are made. Our group went to an upstairs room in the Wynwood Art Gallery area and found several shelves displaying the colorful bags of all sizes.

Total eye candy!

Candy for real -- many of the bags are made out of candy wrappers like M&Ms. Other bags are made out of chip bags or soda labels, all what's called post-industrial. See these rolls of labels?



Ecoist gets these from companies that would normally throw them away because they are changing the label. So they get saved from landfills or incinerators.

The label manufacturers in Peru hand them over to workers there who are skilled at folding the labels just right and sewing them into shape to create the Ecoist bags. Some of the workers, all working by hand, are mothers with young children. Ecoist is certified Fair Trade, so you know that these moms and others are getting good pay and not working in a sweat shop.

Saving items from landfills + paying workers a good wage = win/win for the environment and society.

And, of course, the bags are just plain cute.

I love this little leafy clutch.



But I also love the newspaper tote too.



The Ecoist office is full of other items made from wrappers. Take a look at these lamps! And the mannequin's hat!



The workspace is so open and funky that I imagined designing and creating there ... not sure what, exactly, but oh, I did imagine....

Want to win this Ecoist Diet Cherry Coke change purse? (valued at $22)



To enter, please comment below about your favorite item from the Ecoist site. I'll randomly select a winner next Friday. (Also check out the $20 Bloomingdale's gift card giveaway here.)

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Chevrolet provided a day of visits to green Miami businesses including Ecoist and transportation to and from them. They also provided a gift bag with items like a tire gauge/pen set. Ecoist gave each person on the Chevy Eco Chic Tour an Ecoist bag, and I have decided to give it away to generate more interest for the company. Opinions and silliness are my own.

Miki House children's clothing comes to Florida -- win a Bloomingdale's gift card!

Finding fun clothes and accessories for children that are also unique is something I like doing for my boys or for friends who are having birthday parties or showers -- and a visit to the new Miki House store in South Florida is a great place to shop for them!

Miki House has super cute, high-quality clothing for children 6 months to 6 years. The company started in Japan 40 years ago and now has stores all over the world. South Florida is lucky to have the only Miki House store in the state -- at Aventura Mall in Bloomingdale's.

Miki House has great accessories, too. I bought a sippy cup and the cutest chopstick, fork and spoon boxed set. The backpacks are just the right size for little backs to carry and are huggable too:




The Miki House clothes for little ones are made from supima cotton, so they are extra-super soft and hold up wash after wash. I like that the infant clothes have stitching on the outside, so babies' tender skin won't be irritated by rough edges or seams. There are lots of little details like that in the Miki House clothes, which are colorful and easy to mix and match.

One thing about being a mother of boys is you realize the shopping experience really is made for girls. Stores usually reserve more than 50% of their space for girl clothes and accessories, and the boy items don't seem nearly as cute. The Miki House boy clothes really are just as cute as the girl's, though. Shoes that look like cars? A reversible jacket with removable hood that has bear ears? Adorable stuff.

Speaking of shoes, I love the Miki House shoes! The designers have taken special care creating shoes that are truly just for kids (and the parents who have to put them on tiny feet). The shoes open wide so they're easy to slip on, then they close easily with Velcro. The toes of the shoes spread out and angle up to make it easier for new walkers to keep their balance -- and prevent falls. If you ask me (mom of two boys whose shins are often covered in bruises), that feature alone is worth the $60-$90 price tag.

If you'd like to get shopping and want a chance to win a $20 Bloomingdale's gift card, please leave a comment below with something cute you saw at the Miki House Facebook page. I will pick a winner next Friday so someone can hit the mall next weekend!

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Miki House invited me to attend a special presentation at its new location. They gave me some stationery items, their signature children's washcloth and a pair of spats. Bloomingdale's provided me with the gift card to give away. Opinions and silliness are my own.

Reusable coffee cups score

Finding these Copco resusable coffee cups this week was a happy accident. I went into the craft store for one little thing, and came out with these cups as well.

I was inspired by Starbucks' Earth Day offer last week to give free coffee to anyone who brought in their own mug or cup. I already knew Starbucks offered a discount on your drink when you brought in your own mug -- I have just never done it. Bringing in your own drink container prevents the waste of throwing away a paper cup.

But now that I have reusable cups that look like the paper ones that coffee shops use (complete with drink sleeve available in several colors), I'm going to remember to take my own cup in from now on (on those rare times I allow myself the treat of going to Starbucks). I'm going to use the red-sleeved one, and I got the green for my husband for a Father's Day present (shhh, I'm stashing it away!).

Have you ever used your own reusable cup at a coffee shop?

Fairy houses

Ever since going to the Flower and Garden Show at Epcot in Disney World last year (going on this year until May 15), I have had a fascination with fairy houses.

When I saw fairy houses at HearthSong, I couldn't resist them and spent a little gift card money on them. My favorites were the tree trunk house:

and the acorn house:

I like making my own fairy houses, but I thought these were the perfect size for two little bare spots I have in the front yard. Also, because they are resin, they won't disintegrate as quickly as the ones that I make! The southern Florida elements have a way with wood and moss that aren't so good for keeping more-natural fairy houses around.

For more fairy house goodness, check out Etsy.

Win a beautiful Shabby Apple dress!

See this amazing dress? It's called Spanish Steps, part of a new line by Shabby Apple, which makes beautiful women's dresses. I first found out about Shabby Apple a couple years ago through another blogger. Shabby Apple has easy, casual dresses and dress-up dresses. They also design maternity dresses and dresses for little girls. If you love dresses, you should definitely know about Shabby Apple.

When you check out the Shabby Apple dresses, you can use the coupon code "tropicofmom10off" to save when you find a dress you have to have. Also be sure to like the Shabby Apple Facebook page for more discounts, giveaways and news.

The best news here is that Shabby Apple has offered to let me give away this Spanish Steps dress! I think it is perfect for all the upcoming spring and summer events you'd wear a dress to: Easter, Mother's Day brunch, weddings or graduation ceremonies. You could win this dress! Not too shabby. Except it is. Heh! Update: Commenter 19, Freckle Face Girl, has won. Thank you to everyone who commented!

To win, please leave a comment about where you'd wear this dress, or mention your favorite Italian art work (since Spanish Steps if part of the new Roamin' Holiday line of dresses from Shabby Apple.) I'm not one to make people go through a lot of hoops to win something, but I'd appreciate it if you'd follow my blog. I'll pick a winner at random next Monday. Good luck, and happy dress shopping! Contest open only in the U.S.

Kids, cookies, books and fun at South Florida malls on March 19

There are some fun happenings at malls in South Florida on Saturday, March 19. Mark your calendar!

First, Take the kids to Macy’s Home Store at Aventura Mall on Saturday, March 19 for a fun-filled and tasty event featuring delicious treats by Chef Sophie Tallon of Yummy Cakes and More Bakery. Chef Tallon will teach kids how to bake and decorate spring-themed cookies! Kids can also enjoy face painting and balloon artistry, plus music and games from Radio Disney. Moms and dads can also enjoy some refreshments from Nespresso.

Then, enter for a chance to win special gifts from Yummy Cakes and More Bakery, Cookin’ Kidz and Joyce’s Something Special, Inc. gift basket company. The first 50 customers to make a purchase of $50 or more in housewares or tabletops will receive a Macy’s lunchbox full of sweet treats and a pass to visit Zoo Miami! Be at Macy's at 1 pm for an afternoon of fun.

In Broward, check out the Simon Kidgits Club Book Blast, also starting at 1 pm. This free event features readings by authors Lisa McCourt (I Love You, Stinky Face), Pablo Cartaya (Tina Cocolina: Queen of the Cupcakes) and Dani Lynn (The Fairytale Project).

Shoppers are encouraged to donate a new or gently used book to Guest Services now through the date of the event. The donated books will support the goals of "Just Read, Florida!" and will be distributed through the Florida Education Foundation to Maplewood Elementary School in Coral Springs and Women in Distress.

Radio Disney will be at the Book Blast with additional games, prizes and giveaways!

Enjoy three new Baby Einstein Discovery Kits -- And a chance to win a Discovery Kit

When my preschooler was a baby, we received a Baby Einstein music CD. I kept it in the rotation of discs in my car, because as soon as he'd had enough of his car seat (which was after about a minute and a half), my baby would start wailing -- and hearing the Baby Einstein music calmed him down most of the time.

More Baby Einstein CDs, books and DVDs followed. (Don't tell his preschool pals, but sometimes my son still likes to watch Baby Einstein DVDs, especially Things That Go, which for some reason he calls "The Squirrel Show.")

(???)

So I think it's great that parents can get Baby Einstein Discovery Kits, which include a music CD, DVD and either a book or Discovery Cards -- all about one theme. Baby Einstein recently unveiled three new Discovery Kits: Baby Lullaby, Neptune’s Oceans & World of Rhythm.

Baby Lullaby soothes babies (and parents!) with classical lullabies by Bach, Brahms and Mozart. Think relaxing ocean waves, cute puppet shows and tranquil images. So sweet! (Level 1)

Neptune's Oceans celebrates amazing marine life in their natural habitats: Penguins, whales, dolphins, sea lions and crabs. And it's all set to great music. (Level 2)

In the World of Rhythm, new characters Pillie, the musical woodpecker, and Coco, the dancing cockatoo, explore rhythm in music, rhythm in nature and rhythm as a form of expression. Cha cha cha! (Level 3)

In addition to the new Discovery Kits, you'll also find six other kits (in all age levels) already out there: Baby Beethoven, Baby Mozart, Animals Around Me, Wild Animal Safari, World of Colors and World of Words. Discovery Kits are typically priced at $19.99 U.S./$24.99 Canada.

Want a chance to win a Baby Einstein Discovery Kit?! Baby Einstein is generously offering one for me to give away. Leave a comment about your favorite Baby Einstein product, or mention which one you've got your eye on. (The Neptune's Ocean Discovery Kit does it for me!) I'll choose a winner by random on Friday, March 4. Please make sure there's a way to get in touch with you to tell you if you've won. Good luck!

I received this free Discovery Kit through a LBi/Baby Einstein program. However, all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own (can you tell?), and no other monetary compensation took place.

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Miami fashion show and free wardrobe advice at Macy's Dadeland

The first time my closet shelf fell, I thought my roof was caving in.

The second time my closet shelf fell (this week), I didn't even notice because my kids were making so much noise already!

The fact that I have closet shelf issues is partly due to the age of the shelving structure, but also because I have too many clothes hanging on them! I could definitely use some wardrobe advice and need to head to Macy's in the fabulous Dadeland Mall for their fashion event this coming Saturday.

Macy's fashion show will feature the most sensational career clothing for the new season. Macy's by Appointment experts -- along with special co-host Anetta Nowosielska of the chic Florida International Magazine -- will be on hand for free wardrobe advice to help you choose the perfect, professional look!

Oh, do I need that.

As if that isn't awesome enough, you can enjoy light refreshments and groove to the sounds of the DJ. Plus, you will get a business card holder with any $75 Macy's purchase.

Bring a friend for the fashion fun, which starts at 2 pm on Saturday, Feb. 26, in the Dresses and Suits Department on the 2nd Floor.


This is a post sponsored by Macy's.