Best Backpacks for All Ages

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We are just days away from the start of the school year here in our home. One must-have item on all of my children’s back-to-school shopping lists is a new backpack! Every year we pick out an exciting new style or design depending on each child’s interests or needs for the school year. We have put together a list of favorites for all ages, from preschool to high school and college, below. Which one would you choose?

My First Pac Pac by Miniware

Does your wee one say ‘Pac Pac’ for backpack like mine? I don’t have the heart to correct my littles, so sending my youngest off to preschool with the most fitting of backpacks, My First Pac Pac by Miniware! Padded compartments have room for lots of stuff like art supplies, clothes, and snacks. There’s even an insulated cubby to keep foods fresh. This growth-friendly, age-adaptable backpack comes in Noah (who gives great big bear hugs!), Luna and Kai. BPA-free and non-toxic. You can find it on Amazon, too.

Wanderwild

Mom-invented backpacks designed with kids in mind, Wanderwild backpacks come in three styles: The Explorer, The Wanderer and The Adventurer. ‘The Explorer’ has a front Velcro pocket for quick access while ‘The Wanderer’ has a zipped front pocket for small essentials. The Adventurer is a roomier style and a favorite of older kids and parents. Wanderwild backpacks are made of durable, high-quality, recycled materials that won’t have to be replaced year after year and come in a fun variety of styles and patterns, such as sharks or unicorns. We love that they have matching lunchboxes, too!

Kids Scout™ Hydration Pack

An ideal backpack for field trips! The Kids Scout™ Hydration Pack is a full-featured hiking pack designed specifically for younger explorers, with a safety whistle, name patch, and bright, kid-friendly colors. With a short torso length, it’s tailor-made for preschoolers and grade-school students. Available in Purple Sapphire Azaela and Maui Blue.

Osprey Daylite™ Backpack

The Osprey Daylite™ Backpack is lightweight, simple, durable, and comfortable. This sturdy backpack can handle years of everyday wear and tear, making it an ideal backpack for the elementary years. There’s a large panel-loading main compartment, fits most 14” laptops or tablets, dual water bottle side mesh pockets, dual side compression straps, and front pocket with organization and key clip. Constructed from high-quality bluesign® approved recycled fabrics, GRS-certified recycled polyester and a PFC-free DWR coating. Comes in a gorgeous array of colors, including Jetstream Blue, Wild Blossom and Cosmic Red. Find it on Amazon.com, as well.

STM Goods Myth Backpack

Great quality and designed with students in mind, the STM Goods Myth Backpack combines style, durability and functionality. Its sleek design features multiple compartments and pockets for effortless organization, including a dedicated space for laptops up to 15 inches. The water-resistant fabric ensures belongings stay dry, while the comfortable padded straps make it easy to carry throughout the day. Comes in 7 colors, including Slate Blue, Micro Chip and Granite Black. It is available on Amazon.com.

Rainier Deluxe Backpack from The Skyway Luggage Co.

Durable and large enough to carry binders, a laptop, books and more, the Rainier Deluxe Backpack has a large capacity main container with padded divider, two storage pockets for cords, and a zipper mesh pocket. Plus, it has a side access fully padded zippered laptop compartment which can be accessed while wearing one strap. Additional features include a side water bottle pocket, padded tuck away shoulder straps, and a side mounted quick grab handle – perfect for getting in and out of car line quickly! The Rainier Collection is created from 100% rPET materials, and is available in 6 colors, including Zion Gray, Olympic Green, Moab Red, Tahoe Blue and more! Find the Rainier Deluxe Backpack on Amazon.

Dooney & Bourke Collegiate Collection

Show school pride in style! Dooney & Bourke, an American leathergoods company dedicated to designing and manufacturing their products with expert craftsmanship and timeless style, has a beloved Collegiate Collection ideal for teens who have their hearts set on attending their favorite college in the future! Their Zip Pod Backpacks are perfect for carrying essentials for the school day while supporting the home team. Twelve college teams are available, including Clemson University, University of Notre Dame, Ohio State University, University of Florida and more!

*Companies generously gifted samples and images for this article. All thoughts expressed herein are my own.*

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Late Summer Fashion with Songa Designs International

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It’s late summer, and you’re feeling like changing things up a bit! Songa Designs’ handbags help you make that bold statement! They’re socially conscious, roomy, eco-friendly and anything but boring! Handcrafted by skilled artisan women in Rwanda, Songa’s handbags are individually unique and make a fashion statement with a meaningful purpose. We love that Songa Designs combines eco-friendly materials, international reach, and on-trend statement pieces to show how your personal style can have a profound impact across the globe.

Songa Designs Orenda Handbag

Songa Designs provides employment for more than 175 women artisans, giving underprivileged women the opportunity to earn their own money to buy land, healthcare or send their children to school for the first time. Songa’s statement bags like the geometric Orenda Handbag above or the minimalist Nia Tote below are made using all-natural materials such as banana leaf fiber, sisal plant, pewter, re-purposed cow horn and upcycled fabric saved from landfills. With boho-chic designs and trendy shapes, Songa Designs’ accessories are a gorgeous accessory to any outfit!

Songa Designs Nia Tote product shot

About Songa Designs International
Songa Designs International empowers a new generation women around the world with Urban Tribal accessories. It is typical for many women in developing countries to depend solely on their husbands for financial needs, but Songa Designs is changing this dynamic. By working for Songa, under-resourced women are encouraged to pursue economic independence, simply by using skills acquired through everyday life. Songa Designs provides jobs for over 175 women who in turn negotiate their own salaries and earn fair wages, which enables them to buy land, health insurance or send their children to school for the first time. Trained by generations of local cultural tradition, the skilled artisans of Songa Designs in Rwanda in East Africa craft stylish, high-quality accessories inspired by nature. Each handmade item is tightly woven with all-natural materials such as banana leaf fiber, sisal plant, pewter, re-purposed cow horn and upcycled fabric that otherwise would end up in landfills.

Defined as “the path forward” in Swahili, Songa Designs is synonymous with the journey toward economic empowerment for women in developing countries.

*Company generously provided samples and images for this article.*

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Mama & Little

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Mama & Little Logo

At Tiny Green Mom, we love finding new + innovative companies that really ‘get’ what modern mommas need and desire! For “Mom,” who has a teething 7 month old, this means finding baby safe jewelry that her little one can drool and chew on without worry, and that looks fashionable, too! With geometric shapes and beautiful color combinations that come together like a gorgeous piece of art you can actually wear, the stunning Mama & Little collection will have you dreaming up outfits you can rock with baby in tow!

Mama & Little 2

“Mom” adores the delicate Teresa Silicone Teething Necklace in “Mermaid” above – isn’t it pretty?! Featuring a breakaway safety clasp and made from 100% silicone beads, this gorgeous necklace can be easily cleaned with soap and water after your sweet baby plays it with and chomps on it. It will keep little fingers occupied without compromising your style, and we love that it is non-toxic, as well as BPA, PVC, phthalate, latex, lead, and cadmium free!

Mama & Little 3

When you order a teething bracelet or necklace from Mama & Little, your jewelry arrives packaged beautifully in a cotton drawstring bag. Whether as a gift for yourself (it’s ok – treat yourself! You deserve it, moms!) or for someone who is expecting, Mama & Little will be a treasured gift!

To learn more about Mama & Little and the entire collection of teething jewelry, visit the Mama & Little website.

*Company generously provided samples and images for this article.*

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Sunshine Totes for Summer Style

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SUN_01 SUNSHINE TOTE aqua (2)Momma’s got a brand new bag! Yes, “Mom” has a serious crush on the new summery canvas and cork totes from Pelcor®! Lightweight, versatile and available in bright, beautiful summer colors to make any outfit pop, we think you will be crushing too! Fresh and unique, the Pelcor® Sunshine Capsule Collection combines summery canvas with genuine water-resistant cork skin for breezy, effortless style. With an added removable zippered pouch inside the tote, this new bag has become “Mom’s” stylish purse and diaper bag for the summer – from travel to playdates it is holding up to day to day life as a busy mom! We also love the distinct use of sustainable cork on the totes – adding a very unique element to the bag.

Pelcor’s Sunshine Capsule Collection is available in four cheerful colors, including Hot Pink, Lemon, Aqua and Raw. “Mom’s” favorite is the Aqua – so fun!

This gorgeous collection is available for purchase online at PelcorUSA.com, Pelcor uses the highest-quality luxury cork in making its range of handbags and accessories for work, travel and leisure.

*Company generously provided samples and images for this piece.*

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Summer Eco-Style – 3Strands Global

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3Strands ImageWhat’s hot this summer in eco-style? 3 Strands Global! The woven, fashionable bracelets not only complete your summery, boho beach chic look, but they convey a deeper message – one of freedom, love and empowerment!

3Strands Global is an eco-friendly fashion brand created in 2012 working to fight human trafficking around the world. With the sale of every 3Strands handmade bracelet and gift box, money is raised to help empower, teach and employ young women who have been rescued from the evils of human trafficking.  Profits from 3Strands helps to support organizations like Agape International Mission (AIM), based in Cambodia, that help to rescue and restore these young victims.
 
3Strands bracelets are handmade by rescued young women in Cambodia. The bracelets are made from wax-cotton cord that is dyed with eco-friendly chemicals and materials for treatment, processing, coloring and finishing.

3Strands Symbol

The woven bracelets each feature a signature 3Strands metal closure with the words “freedom, love and empowerment” appearing on the closure made to purposefully remind the wearer of the trafficking survivor who made it. The incorporation of a single red string, barely visible inside the center of each bracelet, illustrates the souls of these women and how they are practically invisible to those who have bought and sold them in the past.

Every bracelet displays one fragile, red seed from the pods of Sandalwood trees, native to Cambodia. The discovery of seeds from the native Sandalwood tree were literally underfoot.  From this litter of dry, colorless pods, the women select a fragile red seed to include in each bracelet they make.  The natural beauty of this glossy, recycled, scarlet seed represents the beauty in each of the women who have been freed and empowered with a hope for the future.

“Mom” is loving the bracelets she received from 3Strands Global. Reminscent of the friendship bracelets worn when she was young, these handmade bracelets make you feel proud to wear one, knowing the story behind them. What a wonderful fashion statement to make!

To learn more about 3Strands Global, please visit 3StrandsGlobal.com.

*Company generously provided samples and images for this piece.*

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Kneekers by Ah Goo Baby

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Kneekers with BabyYes – these are like little cushions for baby’s knees as they cruise around crawling on all fours! “Mom” loves these adorable tiny knee pads designed for baby’s knees as your little one learn to crawl and walk. Ah Goo Baby’s Kneekers are the perfect anytime accessory for babies on the go – their soft, cushioned padding and protective outer shell cradles your baby’s precious knees to shield them from carpet burns, rough surfaces, and abrupt falls. With “Mom’s” baby now on the move, army-crawl style, these cute little knee pads have definitely come in handy – providing her baby with a sense of comfort and security.

Kneekers are made from BPA and Phthalate-Free soft materials, and available in a variety of colors and patterns for your stylish tot. At Tiny Green Mom, we are loving the Hoppy Frog and Monster designs! Plus, Kneekers are machine washable and available in two sizes for extra comfort: Lean Leg or Chunkalicious! 

You can learn more about Kneekers or order online at ahgoobaby.com.

*Company generously provided samples and images for this piece.*

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BabyLegs® Organic

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Those adorable little legwarmers that are seen adorning tiny legs and arms this Fall are available in soft, organic cotton, as well! BabyLegs® Organic offers vibrant stripes and pretty prints to mix and match with all of your child’s outfits, and one size fits most, so the legwarmers can be worn as your child matures. PLus, for added fun, the legwarmers can also be worn as armwarmers, too! What “Mom” loves about these cute styles is that they can help to transition your baby or toddler’s clothing from Summer to Fall with style. Plus, they make diaper changes a breeze!

In addition to keeping wee ones warm, the organic legwarmers are perfect for protecting tiny knees and elbows as babies learn to crawl and walk. Our favorites include the Duchess and Dorothy styles with tiny ruffles – could they be any cuter?!

To learn more about BabyLegs® Organic, to locate a retailer near you, or to order online, visit BabyLegs.com.

*Company generously provided samples and images for this piece.*

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Introducing the Oramaki™

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One gorgeously green wrap – so many unique uses! Made of super-soft Micro Modal, which is created from the pulp of ethically farmed Beech trees that can be re-grown over and over again so less trees are needed in the production of the wrap, the Japanese-inspired Oramaki™ can be a slim-fitting skirt, an easy top, a double layer underneath a shirt, or a warm hug to pamper and soothe during pregnancy!

This is why “Mom” is loving the Oramaki™ at the moment – she is expecting, and this lovely wrap has made quite the difference when worn on her ever-expanding belly, especially at night, as it holds her belly lovingly while sleeping! Why choose the Oramaki™ during pregnancy?

  • Oramaki’s soft, hugging action pampers and calms during every stage of pregnancy.
  • When your pants stop fitting, the Oramaki is the perfect way to cover that opened button and save the cost of an early pregnancy wardrobe.
  • And when your baby bulge is in full bloom your Oramaki will help support your back and the weight of your belly on your inner organs and bladder.
  • Once baby arrives, your Oramaki converts to the perfect breast feeding cover-up.

Available in single layered in white only, or double layered styles in nude, black or pink, the Oramaki™ comes in sizes small, medium, and large. It makes an excellent gift for any expecting mom!

To learn more about the benefits of using the Oramaki™, visit Oramaki.com.

*Company generously provided samples and images for this piece.*

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Eco-Friendly Jewelry for Summer

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Eco-Friendly Jewelry for Summer

The weather is warm, the waves are high, and it’s time to show off that gorgeous golden tan that you got at the beach last weekend. You’ve already got some stylish, organic cotton threads, and your sandals are a pretty convincing faux leather, but when it comes time to accessorize with a few key pieces of jewelry, you may be at a loss as to how to go about greening up your act. Fortunately, there are all kinds of ways to get the jewelry you’ll need to spice up your summer look without doing any harm to the environment. Here are a few tips to help you along the way.

For starters, you need to know what it is you’re trying to avoid. Most costume jewelry is made from plastics or low-grade metals while higher-end stuff is procured through mining. Here’s the problem with these items. The plastics, as you may know, require both pollution and waste to create, in most cases. And then there is mining. Both precious metals and gemstones must be dug from the Earth and the process is often catastrophic. Holes are blasted, ruining the landscape and displacing native plants and animal. Then there is the actual mining, which causes further devastation through the use of toxic chemicals. And finally, there is the pollution and waste that is left behind for generations to come, seeping into the ground and the water supply.

So, you’ll clearly want to avoid anything made through these methods. Unfortunately, that’s a big chunk of what you’re going to find commercially. However, there are operations that are looking to change the way mining is done in order to lessen the impact to the environment. They not only use methods of mining that pollute less (or not at all); they also clean up their mess when they’re done. Further, most of these companies support fair trade (meaning their workers are paid to industry standards, rather than forced into labor or exploited with low wages). And some big names (Zales, QVC, and others) have committed to using these sources for jewelry. In addition, many companies that sell diamonds now use only stones that are certified conflict-free (no blood diamonds).

But there’s more. Many jewelers now use only recycled gems and metals to create new pieces, reducing the need for further mining of our finite resources. And there are plenty of companies making costume jewelry from eco-friendly materials like recycled wood, vinyl records (you’d be surprised by some of the cool cuffs and earrings they make), aluminum from cans, old game tiles, vintage silverware (spoons, forks), glass bottles, vintage buttons, and a whole host of other items you’d never think of using to create beautiful and unique jewelry for everyday use. You can find all sorts of interesting items on sites like Etsy, Uncommon Goods, Wired Resistance, and Go Green Items (among others).

Every day it’s becoming easier to find the eco-friendly jewelry that will help you to look and feel great. As more and more people continue to seek out and purchase these items, rather than those that add pollution and waste to the deal, the availability and variety of these accessories will continue to rise (while prices drop). So do your part to keep this movement alive and enjoy the many gorgeous creations that keep our Earth beautiful along the way.

About the Author

Sarah Danielson is a writer for Adiamor Engagement Ring where you can find a large selection of loose diamonds, wedding bands, and other fine diamond jewelry.

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JousJous!

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“Mom” was simply delighted to learn about JousJous, an eco-fabulous company who uses recycled materials to craft gorgeous jewelry pieces and accessories! Playful and fun, all of their jewelry is not only sustainable, but it is chic and fashionable for the modern, eco-conscious woman. In addition, “Mom” loves how durable the My Jelly Coins bracelet (pictured above) is – it is perfect for beachgoers or moms with busy toddlers! Handmade in Argentina, it is available in 5 bright colors to complement any sundress you may be rockin’ poolside this summer!

JousJous also offers a wonderful way to find the perfect accessory for any outfit through their handy “Shop by Occasion” tab, making it a breeze to locate that “must-have” item! Choose from “Night on the Town,” “Dressed to Kill,” “Lunch with the Girls,” or “Weekend at the Beach” to find stylish, eco-friendly jewelry for your next occasion.

Not only are their pieces beautiful and unique, they are affordable, as well! Whether you are boho or glam, the price is right on all of their gorgeous accessories. A couple of beauties that “Mom” is lovin’ at the moment include the Boho Necklace and the Rosario Bracelet.

For more information on the entire JousJous collection, or to learn more about how the company gives back to breast cancer research, visit www.jousjous.com.

*Company generously provided samples and images for this review.*

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