Category Archives: Uncategorized

Babyganics: The Baby Line We are crushing on

February 1, 2016

I am gaga about BABYGANICS line of safe, effective products that help families create their baby-safe world. This is a baby safe line with incredibly high standards – and it’s so impressive, I am using on my 5 and 9 year old and MYSELF.

I just ordered these fun kits below for a preggo friend. I know she will soon be addicted. I wish Babyganics was around when my babies were BABIES!

baby-safe world essentials gift set

http://app.resrc.it/s=w700m,h700m/http://babyganics.com/assets/15314_OutdoorEssentials.jpg

SHOP THE POST:

READ ALL ABOUT THEIR MISSION AND PURPOSE

  • purpose

    We only create products with purpose.

    We actively review the latest scientific research. We listen to what you need and want to see more of. And because we’re parents too, we’re always inspired by how our own babies explore the world (bonus: when inspiration strikes in the middle of the night, chances are we’re already awake!). Simply put, everything we make has a purpose. Nothing exists “just because.”

    What inspires a new addition to the Babyganics family?

    The latest research

    Thanks to the pediatricians, dermatologists and other hands-on practitioners in our extended family, we’re always tuned in to the latest scientific research. If a new study reveals a better way of doing things (or something we should avoid), we want to know about it—and we want you to know about it, too.

    Personal experience

    We’re parents ourselves, so like you, we’re constantly amazed by our babies and the way they explore the world. That can lead to some pretty incredible “what if…” and “a-ha!” moments when it comes to our products.

    Community feedback

    The families that make up the Babyganics community are our greatest resource (and our reason for being!), so when it comes to product development, you better believe we’re all ears.


  • values

    We’re all about having it all.

    Our goal is to create totally safe, totally effective products that parents can actually find and afford while keeping sustainability in mind.

    For every product we make, we balance:

    Safety

    Is this product safe?

    We create products that help parents safely care for their babies. If we can’t make something baby-safe, we don’t make it.

    Accessibility

    How can we make this accessible to parents?

    Creating a baby-safe world shouldn’t be a treasure hunt! We work hard to price our products within reach and get them stocked where families can find them.

    Effectiveness

    How can we make this both safe and effective?

    We formulate products that do what they say they’ll do, do it safely, and continue to do it reliably over time.

    Sustainability

    Can we produce and package it more sustainably?

    We always look for readily available, attainable earth-friendly ingredients and packaging solutions for our products.


  • formulation

    We put a lot into what we do (and we keep a lot out).

    Formulation is about more than just a product’s “recipe.” The ingredients we choose (and the ones we don’t), the box, tube, or bottle we select for our formulas, and the kind of packaging material we use all play a role in creating our best possible product.

    How we formulate our products:

    Ingredient selection

    We always start with plant-based ingredients, organic when practical, then add any carefully chosen synthetics or preservatives needed to create safe, effective formulas.

    And it goes without saying (but we’ll say it anyway): our products are formulated and designed to be non-toxic.

    Our no’s

    Our list of “never use” ingredients comes from EU, Canada and US lists of ingredients to avoid and refers to industry standards like NPA and EWG. We always ask “Is this something we’d confidently use around or on our babies?” If you see it on the shelf, the answer was “yes.”

    Usability design

    When we design packaging for our products, we consider how they’ll be used in real life and how we can make that experience easier for parents. (Self foaming shampoo & body wash to make bath time easier? Yes, please!)

    Packaging

    Our babies deserve a baby-safe world and a healthy planet. So we look for ways to use recyclable, recycled or sustainable packing materials (without sacrificing efficiency and affordability).


  • testing + review

    Testing 1, 2, 3 (4, 5, 6…)

    We thoroughly test every product we create to make sure it’s baby-safe (meaning that all of these tests add up to ensuring that the product is safe to use on and around babies).

    We put our products through the tests that are absolutely necessary AND those that go above and beyond what’s technically required depending on how a product will interact with you and your baby.

    Since we make such a variety of products, many of which require unique tests, you can bet we’ve got a pretty comprehensive list!

    One last double-triple check.

    We test every single batch of every single product before it leaves our hands and makes its way to you. Specifically, we test for microbes, color, odor, appearance, pH, consistency and more. If it doesn’t pass, it doesn’t ship. When it comes to baby-safe, there’s no grey area!

    We always test for:

    Formula stability

    Stability tests let us know that our finished formulas will work the way they should, even after they’ve been exposed to bright light, heat or cold on their journey from us to you.

    Batch microbial testing

    We conduct microbial testing on each batch of our products to be sure there’s no sign of sneaky microbes or bacterial growth.

    Preservative safety + effectiveness

    When we use preservatives, we make sure they are baby-safe and help our products resist contamination so they stay that way over time.

    Product efficacy

    It may seem obvious, but after all is said and done, making sure a product does what it should is an absolute must.

    Depending on the product, we also test for:

  • Skin irritancy
  • Eye stinging
  • FDA compliance*
  • OTC efficacy*
  • SPF value
  • Broad spectrum testing
  • Water resistance
  • Toxicology review
  • Photo toxicity
  • Skin barrier function repair
  • Efficacy of skin moisturization

  • refinement

    When it comes to our products, the end is just the beginning.

    You know how you’re always looking for ways to help your baby keep developing and be the best they can be? We look at our products the same way. We stand behind their safety and efficacy, but we’re always reviewing the latest science and research behind new ingredients and packing materials to enhance our products and make them even better.

    What inspires us to evolve or improve something we make?

    The latest research

    While we always stand behind our products’ efficacy and safety, we never stop looking for ways to improve. Even after a product is “finished,” we’re actively reviewing new scientific research for ways to advance or evolve it. As the availability of effective plant-based, natural and organic ingredients grows, we continue to incorporate them into our formulas while maintaining our promises of safety, efficacy, accessibility and sustainability.

    Community feedback

    We consider the families in our community our greatest resource, so we take feedback seriously&em;and we act on it. Providing better choices for babies (and the parents who love them!) is an ongoing effort and commitment we continue to make every single day.

More than just the perfect gift one stop shop! Aquelarre: a newly launched Los Angeles-based online shop!

December 15, 2015

panty+2 Aquelarre, a newly launched Los Angeles-based online shop that offers a curated selection of vintage and indie brand fashion, beauty, and lifestyle products, is offering same day LA delivery and free gift wrap during the holidays, which is ideal for last minute gift givers.

I’ve highlighted a few beauty gift ideas, some of which are made in Los Angeles but scout the site because everything is OUT OF SIGHT, amaze.

YOKE Ayurveda Apothecary Nomad Balancing Perfume Oil

NOMAD$28 – Hand Crafted in Venice, CA, this 100% Plant Based 15 ml. roller bottle features fresh lavender steeped in sweet almond, grape seed and sesame oils to create a serene wildcrafted scent that soothes the senses. Notes: lavender, sweet almond, ylang ylang, sweet marjoram, sandalwood, orange, vanilla bean, gotu kola, holy basil leaf, tumeric

New Moon Relaxation Gift Set

IMG_5434-1

$100 – This pre-wrapped gift set includes a reversible satin made in the US AQUELARRE Cat Sleep Mask (white or black polka dot), a choice of LA-made YOKE Ayurveda Apothecary lunar energy infused New Moon Candle (Quartz for balance; Jasper for wisdom; or Citrine for personal power), and a choice of luxurious handcrafted botanical YOKE Ayurveda Apothecary Bath & Body Oil (Brahmi Rose for rejuvenation or Aqua Aura for self love and awareness).

CRUDE Personal Care Starter Kit

CRUDE+STARTER+KIT  $48 – Includes 1 oz. Everything Oil, 1 oz. Detox Mask, and 3 Pull Microfiber Cloths, $48. Oil cleanse like a pro with CRUDE, a 100% Certified Organic and Vegan skincare line handmade in Salt Lake City. This gentle yet effective routine is designed to soothe and nourish, allowing skin to heal and support itself.

OH my – look at these goodies!!

SHOP VINTAGE!!

levi's+pleats+front+v2 -1 -2 -3

Carey Peters and Stacey Morgenstern tell us why You Should Become a Health Coach

December 14, 2015

Five years ago it was yoga gurus, three years ago it was spinning instructors, but now it seems the wellness industry is poised for a new “it” career, the health coach. And it’s easy to see why – flexible working schedule, interesting topic, and the ability to interact with clients and make a real difference. But is it right for you? And how does one go about becoming a health coach?

Enter Carey Peters and Stacey Morgenstern, healthy lifestyle experts, and founders of the Health Coach Institute. The company, which now includes the Holistic MBA program, offers comprehensive educational curriculum rooted in the science of habit change. It includes an online learning platform, interactive skills lab and an online community forum.

Q. So how do you know if you should become a health coach?
A.  It’s so funny, we’re asked this a lot, and our answer is always the same – you may already be one without even knowing! Do your friends come to you asking for health or diet advice? Do you find yourself reading nutrition books before bed instead of the newest fiction novel? Are you aware of what you put into your body and how it makes you feel, changing things as needed to better your health, mood, and energy levels? If you’ve answered yes to these, you’re already well on your way to becoming a health coach!

We’re lucky to be in a time when wellness is a hot topic – why not make a career out of something you’re good at, and already interested in?

Q. How did you become a health coach?
A.  For years we both struggled with an unhealthy relationship with food and serious sugar addiction.  After getting coached ourselves, learning more about the habits we create, the types of foods that we put into our body, the exercises we do, and how it all related to our overall health, we decided we wanted to share the message with others.

Q. Why did you start the Health Coach Institute?
A. We believe health coaching is one of the most lucrative and fulfilling careers you can choose. We also believe that health coaching will change the consciousness of the planet. There are a lot of decent coaches out there, but not that many truly masterful coaches sparking new culture around our relationship to what we eat, how we feel and how healthy living fits into the context of our busy lives. We want to change that.
 
Q. What makes the Health Coach Institute different from other programs?
A. We offer a comprehensive educational curriculum rooted in the science of habit change so that people can teach their clients how to achieve lasting results. We also offer graduate training through “Holistic MBA” which teaches health coaches how to create a sustainable money-making business that grows as you grow.

We’re also committed to our graduates even after they’ve completed the program.

In our suite of programs, we provide our graduates with CoachLeads, the first-of-its-kind digital marketing platform which powers health coaches to build and run profitable businesses.  With CoachLeads, students can simply build websites and run online marketing campaigns, streamlining the costs associated with building their brand online.

Q. Any words of advice for those who want to take this next step?
A. Be brave! Taking this step, moving into a career you’re passionate about, is so rewarding. Set aside self doubt, educate yourself, and you will be armed with all of the tools you need to embark on this journey.

For more information on the Health Coach Institute, please visit their website at http://www.healthcoachinstitute.com.