The Grateful Thread :: for the rocker in your child

My daughter, she loves music. She pulls out her box of musical instruments and shakers on a daily basis. She loves to dance and I always catch her absentmindedly tapping her foot or hand to any beat that she hears, it's so funny. She'd recently developed a great love for the guitar. I catch her playing air guitar, using her clothing and even the strands of her hair for guitar strings! Looking to encourage her love for music (and guitar love) I came across this awesome site called The Grateful Thread, where I met the guitar softies.

Guitar softies are available in three varieties. "The Rebel", "The Classic", and "The Rocker". Each approximately 65 x 23 cm and are made from high quality woven hounstooth fabric and felt with embroidered details. Each toy is compliant with European and American safety standards. Each comes with a really cool designer cardboard box which your child can sticker, color, or enjoy the way it is. My cat really enjoys this box too, hehe.

My daughter was so thrilled when she received her guitar softie. She immediately took it from the package and began playing her guitar and giving me instructions on how to play too. "Not that way...THIS way" she says as she shows me her way.

My daughter playing the guitar...


We also received a guitar baby rattle (so cute!) and I think she may almost like that even more because of the little jingling bell in it. These are great for the future baby rockers in the family, forget not so cute character themed rattles, here's a hip and adorable alternative! These are available in 3 shapes and to avoid waste these are made from fabric remnants. Most are made using organic and/or natural fabrics.

Not only does my daughter love to "play" this guitar but it makes for a great bed or floor pillow, would make sweet decor by hanging on the wall or displaying in her room and sooner or later she's bound to use it for pillow fights. Mommy perks, it is a great photo prop. ;)

Check out some of their other really cool products like "Monsters of Rock" soft toys, recycled vinyl wall clocks, LP inspired couch cushions, and recycled vinyl jewelry and purchase your own guitar softie by visiting The Grateful Thread HERE.

Special thanks to The Grateful Thread for providing samples for review.

Aminals :: Inspired By Imaginary Worlds

You have got to love the creativity in a child's drawing. Over exaggerated lines, bright colors, and literally coloring outside the lines. It's honest and pure, and makes for fun one of a kind and sometimes downright silly drawings. Well what if your child could have their own special friend that looks like it came right out of THEIR world? Well now they can. Aminals (yes, I did spell that right) is the perfect plush that fits right into to your child's imagination and fits wonderfully in their world. Created and inspired by children's imaginations. From their world, for their world.
With a line eleven fun characters and personalities, each with their own story, meet a few of the Aminals below, or view HERE to meet them all.

Each Aminal is all natural and 100% unbleached, chemical free organic cotton inside and out and are dyed with low-impact vegetable dyes. Over time as your Aminal ages after a long fulfilled and happy life it actually changes, the stuffing moves around and the color fades a bit but instead of fretting be proud as this just shows that this doll is 100% organic, safe and sustainable. This is doll is compostable and in the end will makes it's way back into to the earth. Everything the people at Aminals use comes from and goes back into our environment. For complete instructions on composting visit HERE.

We received Liun (again, I did spell that right) and I must say I have loved him from the start. It's honestly just too cute. Even my daughters dad was like "awww, that's cute" and he usually just turns his nose up at most plush, seen one you've seen them all attitude, haha. My daughter was thrilled when she received her new friend, now every time she sees a lion in books or on TV or where ever she always says "look, there's Liun" and goes on to tell me a story about him. I was also very impressed with the quality, feels very thick and durable, yet soft and cuddly. He is also way bigger than I expected, it is very good sized, not too small at all. Even the little pamplet that comes with the product, my daughter repeatedly enjoys browsing through the pictures and having me read the mini story that goes with each one.

Here is my daughter with her Liun Aminal..


Purchase your Aminal doll by visiting HERE and feel comfortable knowing it's safe for your child and not harmful in any way to the environment.

Thank you Aminals for providing a sample doll for review.

The Rattles Band :: Review + Giveaway

The Rattles are a crew of lively critters, Gus, Kitty, Hal, and Sal who recently released their debut album, "Rattle On". With a fresh and blended mix of classic rock and power pop similar to The Beatles, They Might Be Giants, and The Monkees this album is sure to be a hit with kids of many ages.


I was asked to review this album and being a mom who's ears can only take so much kid music I jumped on the offer to have myself and my daughter review this hip kids album. With the raving reviews, I knew I had to give it a chance. My daughter loves to dance and shake her booty so she really enjoyed this cd. The fun upbeat music kept her giggling and dancing and doing her strange (but adorable) dance moves that I have no idea where she learned them from, ha! Better yet I must admit it was not half bad and includes a full 9 tracks, not bad for a kids album. Definitely up several notches from the regular kids music. I managed to listen to the entire cd without having to shut it off or change rooms. It was kind of catchy.

Not convinced? Check out some of these recent rave reviews from parents.

"If your kids aren't talking about The Rattles yet, I think you'll be hearing about them soon!" - Susan Heim, Parenting Author & 'Chicken Soup for the Soul' Editor

"Let’s be honest, there’s a lot of “kids music” that makes you want to jam scissors in your ears. My husband and I prefer to enjoy the music our kids listen to rather than simply tolerate it. Just because they’re kids doesn’t mean they can’t have taste! Over the weekend we had the chance to listen to an upcoming CD dubbed “for all ages,” and we found it to be true – we all liked it." - My Oh! Momma

"My two-year-old LOVES music & I love seeing him shake his booty! We're always on the lookout for fun, age-appropriate music. The only problem is, kid songs can get annoying. Really annoying. That's why I was so excited when we started listening to The Rattles. The songs are catchy, without driving mommy nuts! That makes for a happy toddler & a happy mommy!" - Giveaways For Mom

Enjoy the official music video for "Rattle On". My daughter really loved it.



To celebrate the ‘RATTLE ON’ album release, The Rattles recently launched their new official website, RattlesRock.com. This fun and colorful site allows The Rattles’ biggest fans to read up on the band’s back-story, listen to some groovy tunes, scope out a slew of tour photos, play interactive games, and shop for official band gear at the online store. There is even a special section for parents!

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One lucky reader has a chance to win The Rattles "Rattle On" album. To Enter, follow EcoModern Mom publicly via Google Friend Connect. Leave a comment and tell me you are following. Already follow? Comment and let me know. Be sure to include your email in at least one of your entries. Contest ends on Monday, September 13th at midnight EST. Winner will be e-mailed and will have 48 hours to respond.

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Chalkboard Tees :: t-shirts that inspire creativity

Chalkboard Tees by Class Attire are sure to be a hit with your kids. These tee's have a chalkboard printed right on the front of the tee for hours of entertainment. My daughter is quite the little artist, so much of an artist I find myself scrubbing walls, dolls heads, and scrubbing permanent marker (how does she find these markers?!) off her arms and legs. She loves be an artist on paper too of course but there is something much more exciting about coloring where you are not supposed to. So what an idea, a shirt your kid is allowed and encouraged to color on that in any other circumstance they can't. I even asked my daughter, "would you like shirt with a chalkboard on the front you can color?" and she says "yeah!!!" all smiles and proceeds to jump up and down. With the holidays sneaking around the corner they are definitely going on my holiday shopping list for my daughter.



Chalkboard Tees are 100% cotton, come with a starter pack of chalk, and a small pocket that holds the chalk that makes art easy for on the go. I find this genius for days I have appointments and a restless toddler. Five designs and comes in sizes 2-12. Wipes clean with a damp cloth.


Purchase your own, visit the Chalkboard Tee website HERE. Follow them on TWITTER for deals and updates and like them on FACEBOOK.

For EcoModern Mom's loyal readers use code ecomod15 for $15 off any purchase from their site. Great deal!

munchmoney :: coin purse

School starts next week for most kids and the rest really soon so it's time to get all those last minute school supplies. Well here is one accessory you want to put on your list, the munchmoney coin purse.

These are handmade by etsy seller munchmoney, made with soft thick 100% natural wool felt. About 4.25x4.25, holds about 65 coins, keys or other small items.

I have this on my wishlist for my 3 year old who carries a smaller, less cute coin purse with quarters for gumball/toy machines at the store when we go out shopping.

Visit munchmoney HERE to see all colors available and purchase your own, too cute to pass up!

designedDESIGNER :: Removable Vinyl Wall Decals

By now everyone knows about wall decals. They are becoming more and more popular among companies. Now it's about finding the most creative and best designs. Well designedDESIGNER's shop on Etsy is sure to please you. They are unique compared to most designs I've seen and I really love them. She uses quality removable vinyl sticker which can last up to 5 years outdoor and an incredible forever indoors, until you decide to bring it down of course. Applying the decal and removing it is simple and easy by a provided step-by-step guide. I really love them all but here are some of my favorites..





all images are from designed DESIGNER on etsy

*these are not eco friendly or pvc free

Visit designedDESIGNER on etsy HERE for a complete view of all of her designs. She also takes custom orders.

I Spy Bags :: Etsy Finds

You can find me surfing on Etsy almost daily, something there for everyone and it's ALL handmade! I love these I Spy Bags, what a creative and fun idea. I even find myself hunting for these objects. Great for game night, and keeps my daughter busy in the car and during appointments. Really, just great for anytime. My daughter really loves the I spy books and so this is a great spin on the books. A little more hands on.

Image from KNHDesigns ^

Image from TheCraftingCorner ^

Just go to Etsy and type in "I Spy Bags" or click here. Too many faves to share them all. :)