Blog - Page 5 - Our Green House

Bring Your Baby to Work - The Essential 5 Point Guide

Posted by Melissa McKee on Apr 8th 2018

Bring your baby to work - Ever wonder what it takes to be able to take your newborn to work with you? Are you trying to decide if this is a viable option for your family? I have been fortunate enough to be able to work with all three of my children at various ages and in a couple different careers and now I will impart what I’ve learned on you in this handy 5 point guide.1. Prepare well in advance for every day your baby will be joining you in the workplace. This is the very most important advice I can give you, which is why it’s the longest and most detailed part of the Guide. Everything you do to prepare will make or break how successful you are in your job and as a parent.You will want to start by packing the diaper bag. Whether you bring your baby to work five days a week or one - this step must be done in completion EVERY time. Pack enough diapers, wipes and outfits for a weekend away. The day you forget to do this your baby will sense it and make sure to poop through every diaper you have nearby. Heck you might want to pack a second “emergency bag” to leave in the car all the time, just in case. Babies love to test your preparedness. You will also want to have a second pair of clothes and shoes for yourself as well. Trust me on this one - it is essential. I have one ruined pair of boots to prove it.You will also want to have plenty of entertainment for baby. Not screen entertainment, though. That’s cheating. Pick three toys that your baby absolutely loves more than anything and then… hide them for at least a month. You don’t want the novelty to wear off. You will need to do this for every day you come to work. If you think that crinkly stuffed toy kept her happy yesterday and will be good enough today, you are dead wrong. Prepare to pick that beloved toy off the floor a hundred times because being used in a game of Mommy Fetch is the only possible way that that toy could ever be interesting again.Also, you will need the basics: changing mat, light baby sweater, heavy baby sweater, a couple hats, a swaddle blanket, a crib blanket, a security blanket, a play mat, a white noise machine, baby monitor with fresh batteries, a baby carrier that can be worn on your back, a soft baby carrier to snuggle a sleeping baby, no less than 10 burp cloths, a second nursing bra, nursing pads, a nursing necklace to keep your little one focused in a busy environment, a travel crib, the car seat obviously, maybe a stroller for when all carriers fail? Basically, you want your boss to wonder if you are moving in permanently. If you have a hand free when walking to the car you are doing it all wrong.Don’t forget to pack your lunch! And a snack. And another snack. And water. And all the tea. You need to keep your energy up, especially if you are nursing, so you need extra calories - but not junk calories! Make sure it’s high in protein, iron, Vitamin D, essential fatty acids, whole grains, superfoods… you get the picture. Fuel yourself. With everything. As long as its healthy. (But bring secret chocolate)Now that you are packed make sure baby is freshly bathed, diapered, and dressed in something super adorable because everyone will want to take pictures all day long. Feed baby one last time and then get ready to put her in the car seat. What’s that smell? Start all over.2. Set goals and prioritize. It helps to make a list of everything you need to do and rank the list in order of importance. Cross out everything except the number one task. It’s all you are going to be able to do. Make peace with that.3. Maximize efficiency with nap time. It’s all about that nap, all work gets done during this period of sleep. Do not let baby fall asleep in the car on the way to work. That wastes precious nap time. Once you arrive at work make your first and primary focus be getting your baby to sleep - even if it takes an hour or two. Set up the white noise machine. Unfold the port-a-crib while laughing at yourself because you know you will end up working one handed around the sleeping baby on your lap. Keep that tea within arms reach at all times and do not question whether the caffeine in that tea could be counter-productive to getting your nursing baby to sleep. THIS IS A CONCERN FOR ANOTHER DAY! Today you need it. Accept this. Back to getting baby to sleep - turn off all alerts, ringers, and alarms, set your face to “do not dare try to talk to me while I am rocking/nursing the baby,” dim the lights if possible, get yourself cozy in your office chair because you are going to be trapped under that sleeping angel for awhile...annnnnnnnd now you have to pee. Good luck.4. Reward yourself by buying things for the baby with your paycheck. This might be a me-only problem because I am SURROUNDED by the cutest baby toys, clothes and accessories ever but I like to believe it is important to my sanity.5. Be grateful. No, seriously - while it might seem like you are going to be lost in this madness forever it is actually such a short time and not everyone can recharge with a whiff of that sweet new baby smell. It might not make sense to you, but turns out that this setup will make you the envy of everyone who has never done it. Besides, if you think taking your baby to work is hard just wait till that baby is a toddler.Bring baby to work - not sure it is for you? I also have lots of tips on working from home with baby...and the rest of the family too!! Do you have any advice for moms or dads taking little babies to work with them?

Corporate Gifts - Secret to Meaningful Relations

Posted by Melissa McKee on Apr 6th 2018

Corporate GiftsWe know that competition in the corporate world is tough and we all want repeat customers, but how do we keep clients coming back for more?While excellent customer service, flawless products, and creative marketing are obviously important, there has to be a way to edge out the rest and let your company shine. We have found it's that attention to detail, even personal detail, that can help a business to stand out. When you know there is a baby girl on the way or that your customer’s son is getting married in a month, you can take these opportunities to create a special relationship that becomes more than “business as usual.” It gives you an opportunity to celebrate with your client, creating a bond that is beneficial to both of you. When you can look at your customer base as more than just order numbers, you can feel more fulfilled in your work and that’s when the magic happens. The customers feel heard and understood and they keep coming back. They tell their friends and those friends become your friends and business just grows and grows.Ok, so now we’ve let you in on our secret of how to create that ever-growing customer base, but how exactly can you create these special relationships?Well, we thought to ourselves, how do we know when someone cares? You could have a generic item with your company logo produced in bulk. Hey, it works, it’s easy and it’s better than nothing, but it generally doesn’t get people posting on Instagram. A handwritten note, a meaningful gift, a unique gesture - these are the memorable acts that make a difference in how you relate to a customer. When choosing gifts, keeping it genuine and true to your brand is the key. Gifts with a lasting impact like a handknit baby blanket to treasure or a beautifully bound journal to record memories in - these are the gifts that stand out. We’ve seen businesses give gifts for every occasion (birthdays, housewarmings, new pets, adoptions, etc) and for every sentiment too (“thanks for the extra effort”, “love having you on board”, “welcome to the family”). When the gifts we give have meaning, that customer/business relationship is made stronger.

Realtor Gift Basket - 4/5/18

Posted by Sonya on Apr 5th 2018

This week our featured Make Your Own Gift Basket is an eco-friendly housewarming gift basket created by a Realtor to congratulate their client upon purchasing their new home. This Realtor Gift Basket for the new homeowners included: Custom Gift Basket - Cotton Canvas Cow Grey Photo Frame From India Organic Herbal Tea - Peace of Mind Herbal Tea - Organic Farm and Forest Lemony & Minty Organic Herbal Tea - Bluebird Morning Gratitude Tea - Organic Ashwagandha Tea Pure Organic Honey Sticks Fair Trade Dark Chocolate - Organic Mint Crunch Raw Almonds - Organic Organic Stuffed Bunny - Made in USA Black Ribbon and, of course, a handwritten note card with a message welcoming the family to their new home and wishing them every happiness. Don't forget that you can make your own custom basket in 4 easy steps. Choose your basket, Choose your eco-friendly products, select your ribbon, and write a gift note. We will package it up and ship it to the new homeowner (or anyone you would like). If you need help with your order, please reach out to us and our gift specialists will be happy to work with you to design exactly what you are looking for. Enjoy our modern new way of gift giving.

Make Your Own Gift Basket of the Week: 3/29/18

Posted by Sonya on Mar 29th 2018

This week our featured Make Your Own Gift Basket is this sweet springy basket for a new baby girl. This eco-friendly gift basket for the new baby included: Custom Gift Basket - Pink Pom Pom Pink & Chocolate Striped Organic Baby Romper Organic Baby Mittens Organic Muslin Bunny Bip Burp Cloths Warm Pink Organic Muslin Changing Pad Calming Lavender Baby Wash Set of 12 Organic Baby Washcloths Pink Striped Organic Hooded Baby Bath Towel Organic Waldorf Doll Teether Organic Stuffed Cat - Gracie Baby Toy Keys The Big Red Barn Hardcover Book Goodnight Moon Hardcover Book Pink Ribbon and, of course, a handwritten note card with a message congratulating the new mother.

Our Favorite Spring Recipes: Salads & Sides

Posted by Sonya on Mar 23rd 2018

We love providing our families with the gift of good, organic food, and seasonal spring produce fresh from the Farmer's Market and/or our local CSA is a bright, refreshing change of pace after winter's heavier meals. Today, Our Green House staff shares some of our favorite spring salad and side dish recipes. Pam: One of my favorite spring recipes is this tasty quinoa salad with feta cheese that my friend Christine shared with me. It's an easy, nutritious dish to throw together and makes great use of the abundance of organic baby spinach that spring brings. Cook: quinoa Chop: grape tomatoes, red onion, lots of fresh baby spinach, pitted kalamata olives, feta Dressing: olive oil, lemon juice, balsamic vinegar, oregano Serve: with grilled chicken or grilled shrimp Kerry: I’m in charge of the bringing the same two dishes to our holiday gathering every spring (stay tuned for a spring desserts blog post next week!). These scalloped potatoes, originally from a 1971 Florence Junior Welfare League cookbook, are an excellent, delicious brunch side that is requested year after year. Using organic, pastured dairy products elevates this comforting side dish from its 1970's traditions. Sonya: I've loved asparagus ever since I was a little girl, snapping off the fresh stalks in my parents' garden and gobbling them up before anyone else could get a taste. This year I wanted to try something new with it, so last week we experimented with shaved asparagus and pea shoots. Everyone at home loved this shaved asparagus salad recipe so much that we've already made it a second time and decided that it's coming with us to our extended family Easter celebration in a couple weeks. What I did differently than the original recipe: I used 1 1/2 hearts of romaine and added roughly 1 1/2 cups of pea shoots. The second time we made it, I used feta cheese instead of the chevre. It's really bright and flavorful both ways!

Make Your Own Gift Basket of the Week: 3/22/18

Posted by Sonya on Mar 22nd 2018

This week our featured Make Your Own Gift Basket is this pampering Easter Gift Basket for a man. This eco-friendly Easter basket included: Custom Gift Basket - brown chipwood Charcoal Facial Scrub All Natural Lip Balm - Pink Grapefruit Natural Shaving Soap - Bergamot Burt's Bees Natural Shaving Cream Burt's Bees  Men's Natural After Shave Natural Hand Cream - Naked Unscented Burt's Bees Men's Body Wash Natural Exfoliating Bath and Body Sponge Natural Foot Scrub - Salt & Sand Peppermint Foot Spray Periwinkle Ribbon and, of course, a handwritten note card with a message from the Easter bunny & Mom. Don't forget that you can build a basket for any occasion. We have baby gift baskets, gift baskets for mom, pregnancy gift baskets and more. Our own exclusive line of organic baby clothes can be added to any of the baskets.

7 Eco-friendly Goodies for The Easter Basket

Posted by Pam Davis on Mar 21st 2018

Here are 7 great eco-friendly finds that will turn your Easter Basket into a beautiful and meaningful gift. Organic Playdough - Fresh from Maine, this non-GMO dough was created by a mom using fruits & veggies for the dyes. Pliable and easy to mold into all sorts of shapes and creations, this dough will provide hours of fun! Organic Stuffed Animals - Meet Lucas & Hazel, modern style Easter Bunnies. They are made from organic cotton & stuffed with love. Wooden Toy Eggs - Made in the USA, these wooden eggs are made from birch and sanded to a soft finish. Wooden Toy Sailboat - Handcrafted in Maine, this heirloom-quality toy is able to sail in ponds, lakes, and bathtubs. Beeswax Crayons - We love this safe all-natural alternative to traditional crayons. Made in Maine with beeswax. Gardening Kit for Kids – Nothing is more eco-friendly than teaching your kids about gardening. Let them color the adorable package and then watch the seeds grow into beautiful sunflowers. Woody the Sheep - composed of wood and organic wool from French sheep, this is a wonderful choice. Let your child wrap Woody in a cozy new coat and then have a new friend. Don't forget you can Make Your Own Easter Gift!

Men's Grooming Trends: Is the beard here to stay?

Posted by Melissa McKee on Mar 16th 2018

Is the beard staying?? Many men have jumped on this trend in the last couple of years and now everyone is asking if it has staying power. Our prediction, based on our Instagram poll from earlier this week, is that facial hair is not on its way out yet, but that the beards we will continue to see will be more trimmed and maintained. Take a look back over the last 100 years of men’s grooming with a fun video that transforms one man’s look to fit each decade. If history can be counted on to predict the future we may have some interesting trends to watch out for. What do you think we will see as we get ready to round out this decade? Share your thoughts in a comment below.

Make Your Own Gift Basket of the Week: 3/15/18

Posted by Sonya on Mar 15th 2018

This week our featured Make Your Own Gift Basket is this Great Gift for man This eco-friendly birthday gift for their adult son included: Custom Gift Basket - simple cardboard box Natural Bergamot Aftershave in a Reusable Flask Natural Bergamot Shaving Soap 12 oz insulated Klean Kanteen Wicked Joe coffee Bike chain bottle opener Black Ribbon and, of course, a handwritten note card with a message from Mom & Dad.

Unboxed: New Men's Shaving Line

Posted by Sonya on Mar 13th 2018

This week we're excited to launch both our new Unboxed video blog post series and the new men's shaving line we've just started carrying! Combining high quality, natural ingredients with cool packaging, the products in this new men's shaving line help your man feel and look like his best self. Handcrafted in small batches from simple, all-natural ingredients, these products represent a resurgence in traditional masculine grooming rituals. We start off by opening up a handsome tin of bergamot-scented shaving soap. The rich, foaming lather and citrusy scent make this soap a gentleman's favorite. We love this manly scent! Next, an attractive stainless steel flask filled with all-natural aftershave. This mild, pleasantly citrus scented bergamot aftershave cools and tones skin. When all the aftershave is gone and the flask is well cleaned, he can fill it with his favorite spirit! Finally, we unboxed this gorgeous bergamot-scented shaving gift set. Packaged in a wooden gift box with a sliding lid, this attractive set includes a shave soap, a soft, best badger shave brush and a mini flask of aftershave.

Make Your Own Gift Basket of the Week: 3/8/18

Posted by Sonya on Mar 8th 2018

This week our featured Make Your Own Gift Basket is this natural themed corporate baby gift basket. This eco-friendly gift basket for the new baby included: Custom Gift Basket - Organic Basket Handknit Organic Crocheted Giraffe Rattle Striped Organic Cotton Waffle-knit Blanket & Hat Take Me Home Set Organic Cotton Newborn Slippers - Ecru Organic Jersey Knotted Hat - Tofu Organic Short Sleeve Onesie - Tofu Little Twig Organics baby Wash Everyone Baby Wipes - Chamomile + Aloe Oatmeal Ribbon and, of course, a handwritten notecard welcoming newborn Kingsley to the world.

Top Ten Gifts Moms Want When They Have More Than One Baby

Posted by Melissa McKee on Mar 2nd 2018

I remember driving away from my baby shower for my first baby, SUV loaded up with enough cute outfits for triplets at least, adorable blankets for every possible use, hooded towels, baby soaps, car seats, if it was on a baby registry “must have” list I got it. A second son and a daughter later I still have so many of these treasured gifts. I get such a rush going into our storage and pulling out the bin labeled newborn clothes or the one labeled blankets & towels knowing that we can still shower the new baby with the same loved items that our first received. With each baby, though, there is always something that I feel like we need to buy new or that you can’t use for more than one baby. So whenever I see a mom friend of mine having her second, third or fourth baby I like to buy something I hope she can really use or may not have already. It’s not always easy to know what to get for someone who presumably already “has everything” so I’ve made a top ten list of the things that I think any new mom would want - even if she’s on baby #3. 1. Diapers diapers diapers... and wipes. Seriously, you cannot have enough of these in those first few months. My babies tend to lean to the giant side so I don’t shy away from size 2 and 3 too. Even cloth diapers could use some refreshing after a while so a new all-in-one or a cute wrap cover can spruce up the cloth stash. 2. A really nice organic stuffed animal or doll. I know! Who would think a mom who is likely already wading through a sea of stuffies could use another stuffed pal for her baby? But hear me out - my first loooooved his stuffed animals, especially a stuffed squirrel named McNuttie. Eventually, he didn’t drag McNuttie around anymore or cuddle him to sleep but when baby #2 took a liking to McNuttie there were some jealousy issues. But when I looked at the mountains of stuffed animals I realized our second babe had none to call his own! Get ahead of the sibling rivalry and gift the new little one a very special stuffed animal he can call his own. 3. Anything handmade! My best friend makes each of my kids their own blanket when they are born and I think that is just the best. First babies get all the good handmade stuff - booties, blankets, tag blankets... If you are crafty a lovely heartfelt gift is always treasured. 4. Special keepsakes - I am so guilty of overlooking this one. My first has enough “Baby’s First Christmas” ornaments he could share with a half dozen siblings and I forget about this one every year. I ordered an etched glass one on December 27th this year for my baby girl, she doesn’t need to know it wasn’t on the tree, does she? A personalized gift like an ornament or piggy bank is a great way to make a new baby feel special. 5. Teethers and pacis - I think the word “yuck” should sum up hand me down teethers. That natural rubber giraffe just didn’t look as delicious by baby #3. 6. High-quality pajamas. Maybe it’s just me but I love putting my babes in really nice pjs. They spend so much time sleeping I can’t stand putting them in synthetic fibers with flame retardants. A soft organic long john is way more appreciated than a frilly dress or dapper vest, (though those are admittedly pretty cute too!) 7. A baby going home outfit - bringing home a new baby is ALWAYS a big deal for mom and dad, doesn’t matter if it’s baby one or baby 7 (I can say that since I have 6 brothers). A beautiful outfit to take the baby home in is such a sweet way to say that you know this baby is a gift worth celebrating too. 8. Socks - How I never seem to have enough baby socks I will never know. I am not the only one either, all the hand me down clothes I have received over the years have never had socks. Where do they go?! 9. A blanket...for mom. Ok, this one might be my favorite gift for new parents. My husband has bought me a gorgeous throw before each of my kids were born. Those first few months you spend so much time snuggled up with your baby, who wouldn’t love a cozy blanket to wrap you two up? You would think you only need one. Wrong. Babies are beautiful but babies are gross. A new throw is a wonderful thing. 10. Gift cards to anywhere or anything. This probably goes without saying. Babies are expensive and they always need something unpredictable. You can never go wrong with a gift card. (Our Green House :) is always a great choice!)

Make Your Own Gift Basket of the Week: 3/1/18

Posted by Sonya on Mar 1st 2018

This week our featured Make Your Own Gift Basket is this striking grey themed baby gift basket for a newborn boy! This lovely gift basket for the new mom & dad included: Custom Gift Basket - Charcoal Pom Pom Fair Trade, Handmade Grey Bunny Rattle Just Cause Gifts - Organic Cotton Stuffed Baby Lion Grey Organic Baby Footie Organic Cotton Swaddle Blanket - Grey Stripe Silver Ribbons and, of course, a handwritten notecard congratulating the new baby's parents on the arrival of their son Shaurya.

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