Give the Gift of Positivity and Style: prAna Clothing and Accessories {Coupon Code}

Wouldn't it be nice if, when arriving at a website, there was a little meter that could answer the questions that you're really thinking?

How many times have you browsed online and wondered things like: Is this furniture going to fall apart after one month? Are these sheets going to turn out to be scratchy and rough? Are these toys truly safe for my children? Is that gadget going to be out of date by the time it arrives here?

I just want to know that a company cares — about their products, about the environment, about their customers, and about giving back. I want to know that they love what they do and are passionate about sharing that with the world. On top of that, I want their products to be well-made, high quality, and ones that I'm going to look at every day and be happy that they're in my home.

Is that all too much to ask? For a lot of sites, yes. But for prAna, that's exactly what you'll find in their stylish, comfortable, and gorgeous apparel, accessories, and gifts.

Focused on creating versatile, stylish, and sustainable clothing and accessories that you can wear during every activity, every adventure, and for every day, prAna makes clothing that looks good and plays hard. Plus, along with combining classic and urban style with sustainable materials, they are always mindful of where and how their creations are made.

Pretty great, right? I love that prAna offers sustainable, recycled, fair trade certified, and hemp items so this holiday season you can gift your friends and family (or yourself) something amazing that also shows love for our planet.

But not only that, prAna also makes it a top priority to give back to communities all over the world. From making a difference locally in their own community to sending aid to international charities and areas affected by natural disasters, it is easy to feel good about your purchase actually helping make a difference.

So even though I was already impressed with prAna and completely smitten with the look of the Annexi Pant and Stacia Sweater just from their pictures, seeing and feeling them in person still left me in complete amazement.

Crafted from 54% hemp (an incredibly sustainable and eco-friendly product), the Annexi Pant is lightweight, comfortable, and perfect from morning until night. Going to yoga? They'll take you there. Throwing on a pair of tennis shoes and running errand after errand? You'll look chic and modern while staying cozy. Curling up on the couch with a good book? You're all set.

Everything from the elastic leg cuffs to the relaxed fit to the addition of the back elastic waistband makes the Annexi the most versatile pair of pants that I own. They can easily be dressed up, worn to work, donned for a hike in the wild outdoors, and more. Each time I have reached for them I feel ready for anything and everything that life may throw at me that day!

But as much as I like the Annexi Pant, prAna's Stacia Sweater has easily been my new go-to sweater to keep me warm as winter has set in here in the Midwest.

This Fair Trade Certified sweater is made from extremely soft organic cotton and features Dolman style sleeves and an intricate stitching design down the front. I love the added detail that gives the Stacia just a little something extra!

While I wish that it were just a few inches longer, the relaxed fit has made this perfect for layering over just about any tank or top and this sweater looks great with leggings, pants, skirts, and more.

Overall, I couldn't be happier with prAna as a company and with their amazing apparel. They clearly care about the environment as well as with providing their customers high quality items that are safe from any unwanted, harmful ingredients... and that will surely provide style, comfort, and luxury for any age no matter what sort of adventure you may be going on.

Although the prices on prAna items are a little higher than I might normally pay (the Annexi Pant retails for $85 but is currently on sale for $59.50 while the Stacia Sweater sells for $89 but is on sale for $62.30), these are definitely items that feel sumptuously worth it. Not to mention that each time you reach into your closet and pull a prAna item out to wear, the feeling of having made a positive impact on the planet makes it feel just that much better!

This holiday season and beyond, head over to prAna.com (and connect with them on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest) to see their full collection of organic, hemp, sustainable, and fair trade items that would make fantastic gifts.

But, wait! Who doesn't want a good deal? Simply enter the promo code TMHF16TMC at checkout and you'll receive a 15% discount off of your entire prAna order!

Other than the prAna clothing samples that I received in order facilitate my review, I was not compensated or enticed to do this post in any way. This review is solely my honest opinion about these products and this company.

The Dasani PlantBottle: Designed to Make a Difference {#GreenBottleCap}

 This post is sponsored by Dasani & The Coca-Cola Company.

Although I think it is great that we celebrate Earth Day every April, the idea that there is only one day out of 365 in which we show our support for the environment feels a little disheartening. Why is it notable to walk instead of drive, buy local instead of items that have to be shipped long distances, or plant a tree just one time out of the entire year?

Fortunately, there are companies that have recognized the importance of being eco-friendly and sustainable every day and are offering products that help us all do our part to be nicer to the earth. Case in point, Dasani's PlantBottle, the green-capped, plant-based water bottle, composed of 30% plant materials! 

I'm thrilled with all of the ways that this innovative green bottle cap water bottle design is Dasani's way of taking steps to reduce its impact on the planet!

Here's how:

Since its introduction, Dasani has reduced the weight of its bottles, because lighter weight bottles require less plastic, which helps to conserve natural resources and lower CO2 emissions.

In fact, the current half liter Dasani bottles contain 45% less plastic than the original 2001 bottle. That's a whole lot less plastic being used!

The PlantBottle packaging is created from up to 30% plant-based material that replaces some of the non-renewable petroleum or fossil-based resources used in conventional PET plastic.

I'm not going to lie, I had no idea that plants could be used to make plastic bottles. But I love it! The more renewable, plant-based ingredients, the better!

No question, it is obviously important that these new bottles are designed to be 100% recyclable to help save our world's precious resources.

On top of the above reasons why the the PlantBottle is amazing and environmentally-friendly, I adore that Dasani has stated that it is only the beginning of their quest to help design a future where every plastic bottle is made from materials that are 100% renewable as well as recyclable.

PlantBottle packaging is currently available in all Dasani package sizes throughout the U.S. but Coca-Cola has also licensed this plant-based plastic technology to non-competitive companies, allowing for expansion of this environmentally-friendly technology to build a global supply chain for PlantBottle material. This allows brands near and far to join in doing their part to help save the earth!

Clearly, this technology is working. In the 5 years that Coca-Cola has been using this sustainable manufacturing, it has eliminated the equivalent of 240,000 metric tons of CO2 emissions. These bottles have also been recognized by the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry as helping to fuel the bio-based manufacturing movement.

In short, Coca-Cola and their Dasani green cap bottles (and the technology used to manufacture them) are great steps towards a more environmentally-friendly industry and, in turn, lifestyle for the rest of us. Just look at what the future holds for using plant-based ingredients!

Find out more about Dasani's sustainability and Coca-Cola's PlantBottle today and be sure to keep an eye out for the green cap the next time you are going to buy a bottle of water.

What do you think about PlantBottle packaging?

Functional and Beautiful Growth Charts from Growth Chart Art {Review}

There is something to be said for children's artwork that is traditional, classic and cute. After all, that's the type of decor that fills nurseries and bedrooms and playrooms across the country and makes family and friends smile when they enter the room.

However, when it comes to pieces of art that are going to hang on the wall long beyond infancy, then it must be something more. It needs to be something that can be looked at and interacted with and from a company that understands that it is possible to please children as well as adults with items that are artistically designed, durable enough to last for years, and not too childish that they will be long outgrown before they wear out.

In short, I want pieces that will adorn my walls that will be cherished for quite some time... which is exactly what I have discovered is available from Growth Chart Art.

On a mission to create earth-friendly, beautiful, artistic and timeless growth charts that allow families to mark the most important moments in time, Growth Chart Art offers a line of green, handcrafted wooden growth charts that are sure to make your jaw drop. While I am used to seeing cartoon characters and pastels, these collections leave me feeling inspired and in awe of the talent that went into them.

Also, as opposed to nearly every other growth chart company that I ever seen, Growth Chart Art also has an extensive line of mediums to choose from including wooden skis, surfboards, snowboards and more. What better way to show off their beautiful designs (animals, nature, geometric, guitars, rulers and many more) that allow families to mark memories in minutes?

Although I was blown away by nearly all of the Growth Art Chart options (so many fantastic possibilities! So many gorgeous colors!), the girls and I went over each one and finally decided that the simplistic design and beautiful color of the Ruler Growth Chart in Robin's Egg Blue with Centimeters was our favorite. I absolutely couldn't wait to see it in person!

Stunning!

My decor style is modern and uncluttered, so having this growth chart show up with such a contemporary, clean look made me immediately antsy to get it up on the wall!

While some products look decent from a distance and then not as nice up close, Growth Chart Art ensures that the details are just as precise as the overall look — the grain of the Baltic Birch plywood shows through giving uniqueness, the numbers and lines are clean and crisp (and are printed with eco-friendly ink), and more.

Along with the look and quality of this growth chart, Growth Chart Art sends their products complete with all of the supplies needed for hanging as well as a Sharpie Ultra Fine Point pen. All that you need to do is select your location, screw it in and start marking your child's growth right on it!

Once we had measured to find 2' up from the floor, it only took the use of a level and a screwdriver before we had the 2' on our Growth Chart Art matched up and the entire thing securely screwed into the wall.

We have since transferred over our previous measurements from the girls' past years and are now happily awaiting their next birthdays to make our next marks. I have zero doubt that we will have this Ruler Growth Chart throughout the entire rest of their childhood... and hopefully long into my future grandchildren's childhoods as well.

For now, Big Sister E and Little Sister B absolutely love seeing how high they measure up on this gorgeous growth chart!

 

With prices ranging from $55 to $145, a purchase from Growth Chart Art is most likely going to cost more than the generic plastic or vinyl options that you'll find in stores or elsewhere online, but is the result something that you will be able to cherish for year after year?

Not to mention that Growth Chart Art offers free shipping and returns, extremely easy personalization options for only $10 more, and a functional product that doubles as a piece of art. As a huge bonus, you can rest easy that your purchase helps support this environmentally friendly company and that a portion of your sale goes to child-centric non-profit organizations that help children and teens.

All that in the form of a timeless, green, creative, functional product that will hang on the wall long after my children have left the nest? Yes, please!

Find out much more about all of the amazing aspects and products that make up Growth Chart Art by visiting GrowthChartArt.com and connecting with them on Facebook, Twitter and their Amazon store.

Other than the growth chart that I was provided by Growth Chart Art in order to facilitate my review, I was not compensated or enticed to do this post in any way. This review is solely my honest opinion about this product and this company.

Three Great Reasons to Clean Your Car this Spring from WaterSavers {Visa Gift Card Prize Pack Giveaway!}

Now that winter seems to finally be over here in the Midwest (I just jinxed it, didn't I? If it snows one more time...), people everywhere are throwing open their windows, packing up their down jackets and turning their faces to the sky to enjoy the long-awaited sunshine.

However, while our homes and closets are often high on the list for a spring-inspired overhaul, it is just as important to remember that our vehicles also benefit from revitalization as the seasons change.

You put your vehicle through a lot this winter, so it's time to turn to WaterSavers, a consumer awareness campaign from the International Carwash Association (ICA), for all of their great tips to take care of any damage done by this year's harsh winter and keep your car in optimal shape for spring and summer.

WaterSavers is committed to promoting the importance of using eco-friendly car washes that use less fresh water and return clean water back into the environment. Who doesn't want to support that?

No matter if you live in an area that had a mild winter or you experienced the deep freeze and snow like we did, here are WaterSavers' three great reasons to clean your car this spring:

1. Your car is a reflection of who you are.

There's no question your car is a reflection on you. Whether it's all about horsepower, efficient gas mileage or four-wheel drive, your vehicle represents who you are, where you've been and where you intend to go. The design, form and function are extensions of your style and personality.

So, if you haven’t given it a wash in a while, what does that say about you? You wouldn’t walk out the door without a shower, a shave and a little spruce up. (Would you?) So why shouldn’t you show that same respect for your car?

From dirt and dust to grit and grime, give that car its reflective shine at a WaterSavers car wash. WaterSavers professional car washes use an average of 40 gallons of fresh water or less per car, according to the International Carwash Association (as a frame of reference, that 10 minute shower you took used 25 gallons of fresh water).

WaterSavers washes also recycle and filter the water to prevent harmful chemicals from entering groundwater supplies that feed rivers and streams. To find a WaterSavers car wash near you, visit WashWithWaterSavers.com!

2. Regular car washes protect your paint job.

That beautiful factory paint job will dull and begin to chip away if you don't maintain it. Regularly washing your car and waxing it will help keep your car looking as good as it did when you pulled out of the dealer lot.

3. Professional car washes help maintain the value of the vehicle.

You might be more inclined to spend money on engine issues than the car's exterior, but stains and rusting can drastically decrease the value of the vehicle over time. Especially after a long winter, exposure to the elements can cause damage. Professional car washes thoroughly clean the undercarriage of your vehicle, where there may be a buildup of road salt that could cause corrosion to the car's exhaust and muffler system.

Spring cleaning isn’t just for your home – it's a smart thing to do for your vehicles, too. A few simple steps can help boost your vehicle's integrity and beauty while maintaining its value, plus you might even regain that new-car smell!

For much more great information and tips on how to take care of your vehicle, conserve water, and more visit WashWithWaterSavers.com and connect with them on Facebook and Twitter.

Plus, thanks to their generosity, one person will be even more prepared to take care of their vehicle this month and beyond, because...

One lucky person will win a WaterSavers Prize Pack (total ARV $100)*!

*Prize Pack includes (1) $30 Visa gift card, (1) auto kit with jumper cables, gloves, flash light, reflective cones and other must-have tools, and (1) sunshade for protecting your car from the blazing sun.

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A big thank you to ICA for providing a prize pack for me as well as for one lucky giveaway winner. The opinions shared are my own and honest and if you really need to see more, click here to see how I roll.

Get Your Car Ready for Summer Travel with WaterSavers {$50 Visa Gift Card Prize Pack Giveaway!}

 

Now that winter is finally over here in the Midwest (I just jinxed it, didn't I?), people everywhere are throwing open their windows, packing up their down jackets and turning their faces to the sky to enjoy the long-awaited sunshine.

However, while our homes and closets are often high on the list for a spring-inspired overhaul, it is just as important to remember that our vehicles also benefit from revitalization as the seasons change.

You put your vehicle through a lot this winter, so it's time to turn to WaterSavers, a consumer awareness campaign from the International Carwash Association (ICA), for all of their great tips to take care of any damage done by this year's harsh winter and keep your car in optimal shape for summer.

WaterSavers is committed to promoting the importance of using eco-friendly car washes that use less fresh water and return clean water back into the environment. Who doesn't want to support that?

No matter if you live in an area that had a mild winter or you experienced the deep freeze and snow like we did, here are WaterSavers' eco-friendly car tips to get you back on the road this spring:

Wash your car at a professional car wash. Winter months can be especially hard on your vehicle and washing your car is an easy first step to making your car feel new again.

Using a professional car wash is a great way to protect the environment. According to the International Carwash Association, WaterSavers professional car washes use an average of 40 gallons of water or less per car while recycling and filtering their water to prevent harmful chemicals from going into our rivers and streams. Professional car washes also remove salt from the undercarriage of your vehicle, which is a must after a long winter.

By comparison, the average home washing machine uses 41 gallons per cycle, and a garden hose uses 63 gallons of water in just five minutes. You can learn more, and find a WaterSavers wash at Washwithwatersavers.com.

Give the inside a deep clean. Winter's elements are hard on the outside of your car, but many people forget the abuse the vehicle's interior takes as well. Think of how many times you've crawled into your vehicle with dirty, snowy feet and you can begin to understand why cleaning the inside is necessary.

Apply some baking soda and a rubber sponge to your floor mats for an environmentally friendly and efficient clean. Then, wipe down interior surfaces with a microfiber cloth and vacuum the fabric and floor to remove dirt, sand, salt and dust.

Don't forget the maintenance check. Winter is finally over, but that doesn’t mean your vehicle can skip an overall maintenance check, especially if you want to save energy. Make sure to have your oil changed and give your vehicle an once-over. Check the fluid levels as well. The more efficiently your vehicle runs, the more gas you'll save.

How's your tire pressure and alignment? Low tire pressure will cause your vehicle to overexert itself and waste gas so make sure your tires are up to the task.

Your tires list their recommended pressure on the side (if you can't find it, you can find the recommended tire pressure in your owner's manual as well). It is also a good idea to have a certified technician conduct an alignment test since it could have been thrown off by driving over pot holes during the winter months.

For much more great information and tips on how to take care of your vehicle, conserve water, and more visit WashWithWaterSavers.com and connect with them on Facebook and Twitter.

Plus, thanks to their generosity, one person will be even more prepared to be eco-friendly in and out of their car this month and beyond, because...

One lucky person will win a WaterSavers Prize Pack*!

*Prize Pack includes (1) $50 Visa gift card, (1) Gap Stick, a versatile auto accessory to help access the hard-to-reach areas of a vehicle by using a strong magnetic hook, (1) Phone Caddy to keep your phone in view and easily accessible, and (1) Auto Trash Bag, a sturdy fabric bag with a bottom zippered compartment for extra garage bags or hand wipes.

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I am working with the International Carwash Association to share these tips. However, my opinions are entirely my own and I have not been paid to publish positive comments.

Entenmann’s Little Bites "Recycle…Reuse…Replenish" Fully Recyclable Lunch Campaign {Prize Pack Giveaway!}

Whereas my girls' interests might vary and change over time, one thing that they have both always stayed passionate about is helping the earth.

Whether it is the constant reminders to recycle every piece of paper, the disapproving looks as they hurry over to turn off an unneeded light, or the repeating questions as to why someone would even consider littering, I love knowing that they are growing up with care and concern about our planet.

Recently, we were introduced to yet another way to help make a difference... and it even involves delicious foods — a win-win! I'm not sure who was the most excited to join in the the Entenmann's Little Bites "Recycle… Reuse… Replenish" Fully Recyclable Lunch Campaign!

Entenmann's Bakery, the name that has been making life a little sweeter for more than 100 years with their amazing fresh-baked goods, has partnered with TerraCycle, an international leader in the collection and reuse of non-recyclable post-consumer waste.

Together, this dynamic team has launched the first-ever "Recycle…Reuse…Replenish" Fully Recyclable Lunch campaign that is helping kids become recycling pros and turn trash into cash for their schools!

The process couldn't be much easier (or more tasty). After kids snack on their favorite Entenmann's Little Bites muffins and brownies, they send the empty pouches to TerraCycle to be turned into new products through the Entenmann's Little Bites Pouch Brigade.

What a great way to teach kids the importance of reducing waste while earning money for their schools — I love that this unique partnership with TerraCycle demonstrates Entenmann's dedication to recycling and reducing the amount of Entenmann's Little Bites pouches that end up in landfills each year!

As the recycling and upcycling experts at TerraCycle are committed to creating new lives for Entenmann's Little Bites pouches, it is great knowing that the used packaging is turned into innovative new products, while also awarding points for schools that can be redeemed as cash for every Little Bites pouch received.

Entenmann's also has a great collection of Little Bites "Recycle…Reuse…Replenish" Fully Recyclable Lunch tips that can help the whole family stay green:

Recycle

• Check-it: look for numbers and recycling symbols on plastics to know what types get reused.

• Be sure to recycle your Little Bites pouches with the TerraCycle Brigade programs. Sign up your school if it is not already participating and check out what other lunch items TerraCycle recycles!

Reuse

• Put your sandwich in reusable lunchbox container to take home and use again.

• Before you toss anything away, stop to think about how you might be able to use it again. TerraCycle's team of designers make products out of wrappers and packaging and you can find DIY project ideas to try as well!

Replenish

• Have any leftovers from lunch? Before you throw away, make sure to check out what biodegradable foods can be brought back home to be added to a compost pile.

• Make compost at home! Be sure to include the three basic ingredients: Browns (dead leaves, branches, twigs, cardboard, newspaper), Greens (grass clippings, vegetable waste, fruit scraps, coffee grounds) and Water to make an effective outdoor composting area. More helpful info on composting at home can be found from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Big Sister E and Little Sister B were more than excited to enjoy the large variety of delicious Little Bites products while also knowing that their pouches would be recycled into things like garbage cans, park benches and even bike racks. Talk about a sweet idea!

Want to join in helping eliminate waste while also earning money for your school or favorite charity? Head over to the Entenmann's Little Bites Pouch Brigade today to find collection locations, see how much money has been raised, sign up and more!

You can also find out more about the full collection of decadent, drool-worthy Entenmann's selections by visiting Entenmanns.com and connecting with them on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Plus, thanks to their generosity, one person will be celebrating Earth Month and beyond in a yummy way as well, because...

One lucky person will win an
Entenmann's Earth Month Prize Pack* (ARV $60)!

*Prize pack includes (1) $25 Home Depot gift card, (4) $5 Entenmann's Little Bites coupons and (1) Little Bites upcycled Lunch Sack made by TerraCycle.

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A big thank you to Entenmann's for providing the coupons, gift card and upcycled lunch sack for me as well as for one lucky giveaway winner, however, this giveaway is being brought to you by Thanks, Mail Carrier, not Entenmann's. The opinions shared are my own and honest and if you really need to see more, click here to see how I roll.

HEALTHY ESSENTIALS Products Have You Covered for Earth Day! {#Moms4JNJConsumer}

With Earth Day right around the corner (April 22nd, 2014), there is no better time of year to reflect on what steps we are each taking to do our part in helping the world be a better place.

We all know to recycle our cans, bottles and paper, but are you striving to take things just a little bit further? And not just with empty containers from the kitchen, but all over the house?

One room that is often overlooked is the bathroom. Just take a look at the number of items in recyclable containers — shampoos, conditioners, lotions, contact solution, cleaners, mouthwash, skincare, makeup and much more — and make the effort to keep them from going in the garbage can when they are empty!

As well as remembering to recycle packaging from the bathroom, another measure that can be taken to help the earth is to start with products from companies who care and do all that they can as well. That's just another reason that I love HEALTHY ESSENTIALS products from Johnson & Johnson!

As well as producing only the best products for the entire family, J&J embodies sustainability in everything they do, from the sourcing of their suppliers' materials to the formulation of each item to reducing the footprint from every single package.

I don't know about you, but I adore knowing that the HEALTHY ESSENTIALS products that we already use and love are also made in the most efficient, least wasteful possibly way!

Right now is the perfect time to stock up on your favorite HEALTHY ESSENTIALS products as well, as you can save over $55 when you visit HealthyEssentials.com and sign up for program coupons and offers.

Just look at a selection of the fantastic deals that you'll find there!

• Save $1.00 on any JOHNSON'S Baby Intense Moisture Cream
• Save $1.00 on any LUBRIDERM product (6oz or larger)
• Save $1.00 on any (1) CLEAN & CLEAR product (excludes trial and travel sizes)
• Save $1.00 on any (1) NEUTROGENA Sun product (exclude trial size)
• Save $1.00 on any (1) LISTERINE SMART RINSE Anti-cavity Mouthwash, 500 ml
• Save $1.00 on any (1) REACH Total Care Floss, REACH Gentle Gum Care Floss, REACH Dentotape or REACH Access Flosser

In addition to the great savings you can find on HEALTHY ESSENTIALS products, you can support Earth Day by taking part in the wonderful initiatives sponsored by Donate A Photo.

The free Donate A Photo (DAP) app allows consumers to make a difference by raising money and awareness for causes that they care about through one simple act – taking a photo. For every photo shared through Donate A Photo, Johnson & Johnson will donate one dollar to one of its non-profit partners, which each consumer can choose from a rotating list.

You can donate one photo a day, every day and make a difference by raising money and awareness for causes you care about. Whether your picture helps fix up a public park, get medicine for an infant, or help kids play sports safely, your quick and easy act will be contributing to a great cause.

Ready to celebrate all things Earth Day? As well as donating your photos and filling your home with your favorite products, you can also join in the upcoming HEALTHY ESSENTIALS Twitter Party all about shareable moments with friends and family — anywhere from online to in the store to your own medicine cabinet!

• What: #Moms4JNJConsumer

• When: [Edit: This Twitter Party has been rescheduled, so stay tuned for a new date and time!]

• Hosts: @theMotherhood, @CooperMunroe, @EmilyMcKhann, @TheMotherhood25

• Prizes: There will be 15 prizes throughout the party, randomly chosen from all eligible correct responses to trivia questions. Each prize includes an assortment of Johnson & Johnson Family of Consumer Companies HEALTHY ESSENTIALS products with an estimated retail value of $50!

Hip, hip hooray for Earth Day!

Help support and protect a clean environment by visiting HealthyEssentials.com this month for printable coupons, tools, tips (including great tips for recycling in the bathroom), Earth Month content, and so much more for all the products you and your family love. You can also find recycling solutions near you as well as additional tips and facts on what and where to recycle.

This post is part of the HEALTHY ESSENTIALS® 2014 program by Johnson & Johnson Consumer Companies, Inc. and The Motherhood, who sent me a box of products and compensated me for my time. Opinions, experiences and photos shared here are all my own, and I hope you enjoy them.

PlanToys Eco-Friendly Toys For Kids {Review}

 

There are a lot of great toys out there for kids, there's no denying that. There are games, puzzles, electronics, toys for outdoor play and ones for quiet imaginative play, things to play in the water or toys made to travel... it's really a good time to be a kid, isn't it?

However, when it comes to quality, even though there are plastic toys that are fun and entertaining, it's the natural, well-crafted, simple toys that seem to spur my kids' imaginations, are completely safe, and last not only for the two of them, but for generations to come.

Combine that with the fact that well-made wood or fabric toys are often the ones that encourage the inventiveness, creativity, and development of fine motor skills that are important during childhood and what more could you ask for?

That's exactly what PlanToys and their collection of classic wood pieces and super green designs believe as well.

For over 30 years, PlanToys has been recycling the wood from expired rubber wood trees to create beautiful wooden toys that inspire children's imaginations and promote a commitment to sustainable play.

This is the only company to receive global recognition for their drive to contribute positively to the world, as they consistently develop their toys to cultivate creative minds while also encouraging children to grow up with the knowledge and appreciation to respect and preserve natural resources!

So, as the holiday season is upon us and there are wishlists full of video games and plastic toys near and far, now was the perfect time for my children to see the wonder and simplicity of PlanToys' Monkey Bowling and Curvy Click Clack.

Is there a cuter bowling set than these five funky monkey pins and monkey ball?

I love the way that PlanToys included such cute details into these six pieces, from the sweet monkey faces and ears to the variety of minimal color to the overall smooth feel and quality.

Each of these monkeys are weighty enough that the pins stand up easily and the ball rolls well, however, the entire set is so lightweight that a child (ages 3+) would have no problem carrying them, setting them up, and playing time and time again.

Retailing for $25 (directly from PlanToys or on Amazon), Monkey Bowling would be a universally wonderful gift for any young child to experience the entertainment (as well as the cause-and-effect science, logic and motor skills) on their own or with friends.

For even more eye-catching, unique, visual and sound fun, the Curvy Click Clack provides a colorful way for children (ages 3+) to watch and hear the balls rolling down the curvy tracks. The dimple details not only slow down the balls' descent, but they add to the calming, clickety clack sound that continually occurs from one level to the next.

We did have to adjust the ramps a bit to make sure that the balls continued their momentum all the way to the bottom, but that only added a little extra suspense and mystery!

I love that PlanToys included three large ball holders right on the base of the stand, so that children of any age can start and stop the enjoyment (while also enhancing their coordination, concentration, fine motor skills and more) on their own.

Retailing for $45 (directly from PlanToys or on Amazon), Curvy Click Clack is a perfect example of how much fun kids can truly have with simple, gorgeous toys like these and I appreciate that PlanToys has something for every age, personality and ability that is sure to be a big hit.

This holiday season, be sure to check out their huge array of items that will encourage children to role play, think critically or just explore imaginative possibilities. Their toys will be more than just a gift under the tree, they'll have the ability to help build social skills or individuality while enhancing a young child's ingenuity and understanding of the world.

Find out more by visiting the PlanToys website and connecting with them on Facebook and Twitter, while finding great deals and products at the NEW PlanToys online store.

Other than the Monkey Bowling and Curvy Click Clack that I was provided in order to facilitate my review, I was not compensated or enticed to do this post in any way. This review is solely my honest opinion of this company and their products.