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The 411 on Sunscreen








I have been talking about using safer ingredient products a lot around here, especially since I made the jump to Beautycounter. But I haven't chatted about sunscreen. Some of you may know that the reason I came across (and used!) a Beautycounter product a couple years ago was because of the rating/rave reviews they got on their sunscreen. And as we experience warmer and sunnier days (yay!!) and keep our kiddos out enjoying everything we have missed we should also think about how we are keeping their skin safe.

I will say that my biggest advice to anyone switching to a safer sunscreen should really read the packaging, apply as often and when indicated (so if it says every 2 hours or 40 minutes in the water, then set an alarm on your phone or keep track of the time, this is the main reason folks think "it doesn't work as well". I would much rather reapply then put chemicals on my babies or me!

Here are 6 articles that you should read before hitting purchase on a tube of sunscreen.

The Trouble with Ingredients in Sunscreen (this one is important for anyone but especially preggo and nursing mamas!)

 

And this is why I choose Beautycounter (especially after using it for a week in the Cayman Islands).

-Easy to apply. Even the Protect All Over (stuff in the tube) was so easy to get one even the squirmiest of 15 month olds. Just make sure you are using enough.

-The Protect Stick Sunscreen(Face) is what's in my makeup bag, what I wore underneath my Dew Skin for everyday on vacation and continuing on these gorgeous spring days.

-The Protect Stick Sunscreen for reapplying on shoulders, chest, faces for me and the girls. This you will find in my diaper bag for park dates and even at the beach I found myself reapplying with this. The ease of how well it goes on, is my fav. Smells ok too!!

- The Never List, this companies mission to never put the shitty stuff in products is a winning point for me.

 

Now go to this site and plug in the sunscreen you used last year... What did you find? And sign up here to get EWG's safer sunscreen guide!

xoxo

Natalie

10 Ways To Be Kind to Mother Earth





Hey hey, with Earth Day here I thought I'd share a few things we have done over the years to keep Mother Earth healthier. And I am being honest about this, it has happened over the years. Because I want you to know that even if you make one change a month for the rest of the year you can save yourself $ and help out Mother Earth.

Plus huge shout out to the hubby, our anniversary! We surprised our guests and got hitched on a rainy Earth Day in a gorgeous garden and man it was the best decision I ever made.

1. Ditch the papertowels and add dish towels to your kitchen.

We still keep the paper towels in a cabinet under the sink so things one may not want to clean up with cloth but keeping them off the counter allows us to use less paper. In our smaller place we kept them all in a basket on the counter and now they are tucked away in a drawer. I add a few new ones to the mix every season (or whenever I see some on sale!). Some may worry about extra laundry but I add them to our towel load once a week.

2. Cloth napkins.

This was the hardest for the hubby but gosh it feels a little more fancy and again we NEVER buy paper napkins anymore. These also get used by the girls and get tossed in the towel load.

3. Switch to biodegradable makeup remover wipes.

This was my big one for 2018 and Beautycounter just came out with these and you guys I am obsessed. They were great for travel! they clean so well and do not dry out your face.

4. Cleaning products. I wrote this post recently on some changes I recently made on choosing even cleaner products for our home to our laundry room. I've also switched our baby products to Beautycounter or homemade with essential oils, have only used Honest diapers, and Beautycounter makeup/skincare. Only using brands that are kind to our Mother Earth is a big big goal of mine for the rest of the year (including linens, clothing and kiddie gear).

5. Bags.

Keep these reusable one in your purse or diaper bag, these in your car and use supermarket ones for dirty diapers. Reusing is the key!!

6. Resell. Reuse. Recycle.

Not only do we recycle paper plastic and glass but we also try to donate, sell and buy gently used furniture, clothes and even accessories. I have recently started replacing a few things in my closet with higher quality pieces instead of buying too much of the fast fashion ish. We keep ikea containers that are easy to sort the recyclables in our kitchen, a basket for donations in our laundry room and a Poshmark account for selling the previously loved.

Instead of plastic bottles we drink filtered water, in our yeti's or the girls water bottles. We buy a lot less bottled water these days (mainly for any workers or guests on the go).

8. Straws.

We've swapped out some of ours with stainless steel, recently ordered some glass ones too. We also use paper ones, that are recyclable and fun for the girls.

9. Lightbulbs on a timer with Wink.

This thing is amazing, looks great and can be adjusted by your phone. Seriously so great for managing the thermostat from ANYWHERE.

Simple simple simple ways to be nicer to Mother Earth and leaving behind a healthy Earth for our babies.

Happy Sunday lovelies!

xoxo

Natalie

PS I'm backkkkk. Vacation and my twin visiting had this mama full to the brim and noooo time for blogging but that is about to change.

Look out for more on this as I have some really great partnerships coming up on more changes we are making on our home, Spring Updates to our decor (so excited about this!), Tot School posts on what we have planned and spring meal planning!

Thieves Products For Cleaning



You guysssss. So many posts I owe you guys and this is number one asked for (spring makeup/skincare favorites coming too, I promise!).

Last month I added the Thieves Home Cleaning set to my Essential Rewards order (more info on that here) and you guys I am obsessed. Not only do they cover everything but it all smells so fresh and you can't get cleaner ingredients.

Although we have switched a LOT of our products to safer ingredients we still have ways to be more earth friendly, so every year I try to make conscious changes to our every day life (more on that in an Earth Day post on Sunday).

I will tell you that most people are skeptical about changing cleaning products but for me it was an easy decision when I was pregnant. I found myself using a shower tub cleaner with a mask and then washing it over again because I didn't want to sit right into the cleaner and airing the room before I relaxed in the tub because of the smell. It seemed so WRONG. So I did the research and at that point switched to Honest or Seventh Generation for everything. I found they lacked in the scented department but was ok with that to have safer ingredients. I then started using essential oils to add a natural fragrance to our liking. And now here I am learning so much more about Thieves and the wonders of their line. And jumping on the homemade wagon.

In comes this kit (which is currently sold out because it's so popular) and guys I am excited about making the changes to saving money and even cleaner ingredients. Without giving up how clean things are.

Here are my favorites products that I've added to my cleaning cubby.



Laundry Detergent // Dryer Balls (these are a free incentive this month with your Essential Rewards!) // Thieves Household Cleaner // Veggie Soak // Thieves Foaming Hand Soap (OMG the smell is incredible) //

I want to try the Dishwasher Powder and Dish Soap next! I also love this spray but I now make my own.

Here is some info on Thieves, and here, as someone with a baby that is at a higher risk of getting sick ( Ami's diagnosis) I am really proud to report back that not only do the products smell great, and have clean ingredients but they also WORK.

 



And 5 ways I use the Thieves Essential Oil

1. I mix 20-30 drops with 1 part fractionated coconut oil, and 3 parts water in a small glass amber bottle and spray on all of our spines in the mornings and at night. Maybe even more when we are fighting something.

2. I diffuse diffuse diffuse in my kitchen. mixed with lavender or lemon is my current favorite. This purifies the air, helps us fight off any yuckies and smells delish.

3. I add a couple drops to laundry, especially when someone in the house is sick, this was KEY when we all had the stomach bug. (I just started using the detergent a couple weeks ago and OMG it's incredible, gets rid of stains, a tiny bit goes a long way).

4. I use the vitality Thieves (comes in the starter kit) in hot water to make tea or a couple drops under my tongue when I feel run down. It has been a great addition to my morning lemon water. Mama needs all the help she can get!

5. I use the household cleaner with a few extra drops of lemon oil to make homemade cleaner for surfaces and another for spraying all toys (the best part about spraying toys is that I don't have to rinse or wipe them, these ingredients are all safe and keep my girls from spreading germs. I brought a small bottle on the plane for surfaces and for the beach house.

I would absolutely love love love to answer all of your questions and get you on this wagon! The best part about this membership and the starter kit is the rewards you accumulate (by signing up for monthly order that you can change or stop at anytime ). The starter kit brings so many of the great oils I loved starting with and you can add the household cleaning set which is AMAZING. Would you guys enjoy a little Facebook live to answer questions? I'd love to host one so DM me, email me or comment on my last Instagram and let me know you'd like to join me this weekend!

Happy Wednesday my friends.

xoxox

Natalie

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