Anniversary Sneak Peek of ...

The Felt Commissary's new felt foods! These and more at our sidewalk sale this Saturday.

Time to go grocery shopping . . .

More Anniversary Sneak Peeks ...

Little Dew Drops will be selling exclusive designs of tees and onesies at the sidewalk sale. Check out a few of her newest designs:

Baby A Sneak Peek presents . . .

Cute paintings by local artist and mama-preneur Patty Elligott.

Perfect for the nursery or play room. Find these and more at our Anniversary Celebration Event on Saturday 8/28!

Sage Mamas Making A Difference

Sway Davis of Naughty Nappies™

As we gear up for our anniversary celebration on 8/28, we want to build the excitement with some sneak peeks along the way.

We will be having a fabulous sidewalk sale during our anniversary event. Six local vendors -- all talented, unique crafters -- will be selling their lovely handmade wares (seemingly a rarity these days). Be sure to stop by to see their creations, everything from toys to jewelry to hand-painted organic tees.

One of our favorite mamas participating at the sidewalk sale is Sway of Naughty Nappies™.

Self-described as "ecologically fashionable, cloth diapers made with love," Naught Nappies™ is quickly building a following of moms. If you're looking for some cool, hip, one-of-a-kind original diapers with the couture touch, then Sway is the one to seek.

Recently, Sway was kind enough to take a moment from her sewing to chat with us about her life as a cloth-diapering mom who also happens to make cloth diapers for a living:

BA: Please share how Naughty Nappies was born.

NN: We started cloth diapering our baby when he was about 2 or 3 weeks old. We used Dolphin Diaper Service for about 2 months and decided we were going to slowly start building our own stash because we realized it was really easy to wash the diapers ourselves. However, after a while we wanted something other than green and navy.

Babies are in diapers most of the time. Because of the warm weather here in Hawaii, our son always runs around with just a t-shirt and a diaper, and I thought, why not make them fun and fashionable? It was actually my husband who really pushed me to make our first homemade diaper. The first few were made out of old t-shirts. It was exciting and fun for us to see our little man run around with a Transformer diaper on his bum. I kept on with the diaper making and thought it would be cool to have these available for other moms as well as a way to bring in a little extra income.

BA: How do you balance your business, crafting, and mommy life?

NN: I don't! (LOL)Although important, finding a balance in life right now is still a tough thing to do... Our son is now 13 months old and we don't call him Danger Baby for nothing. My husband works long hours so our baby is mostly with me. He requires constant attention when he's up and about so I usually work only when he's napping, after everyone's gone to bed or before he wakes up in the morning. I've never been a morning person, but I found myself liking getting up early, sip on some coffee and sew, it's peaceful.

BA: What inspires you to create, in work or in life?

NN: It just kind of come to me; "stuff" would just pop up in my mind. I've always been interested in fashion and have always wanted to design and make garments. I guess this is a starting point for me, and a lot of times I think of my diapers as "clothes" when I design them. NaughtyNappies Couture line is one example.

I love going to fabric and crafting stores! I'll walk around and look at something and think: "What can I do with this?" "How about that?"

I'm still trying to make that "perfect" diaper, one that's more then just putting fabric pieces together, one that's going to really "wow" but you can throw it in the wash everyday instead of requiring tender care due to delicate materials.

BA: Your diapers are so cool and hip -- people must stop you in the streets and ask you where you bought them, right? What do they say when you tell them that you made them?
  
NN: Thanks for thinking that =). Well, the few that do think it's really awesome, once in a while you get people asking if I make adult sizes... LOL

BA: Anything new from you we can look forward to at the sidewalk sale on August 28th?

NN: Aside from regular pocket diapers, I will have a very limited numbers of NaughtyNappies Couture available. I will have some organic fitteds as well as will debut our Danger Baby products, which will be mommy and baby-related items, such as organic breast pads and shoulder straps for bags and strollers.

Baby A's 3/50 Spotlight

We Love Tom Terrific's!
by Lani Lee

Nestled in the heart of Manoa Valley, Tom Terrific's is what I imagine the majority of yesteryear's shops used to be: personal and warm yet efficient and trustworthy.

Fortunately for us, Tom Terrific's is well and thriving despite the hustling era of Kinkos and other such franchises. Self-described as "a kinder, gentler printshop," Tom Terrific's may be a small operation (owned and managed by Carolyn Borges) but is big on service and quality.

Many a times, we at Baby A find ourselves enjoying a neighborhood walk to pick up our orders. For those occasions when we need something in a pinch, they are just a hop, skip, and a block away to our rescue. The joy of living and working in one's own neighborhood is made possible only when daring entrepreneurs such as Tom Terrific's bravely go against the grain and work hard to keep the triage of local business alive.

So thank you, Tom Terrific's, for being here, not only for us, but for all of Manoa's business district and beyond.

Tom Terrific's
2961 E Manoa Road Ste. D
Honolulu, HI 96822
(808)988-1556
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Mon & Thurs: 7am-5pm
Tues, Wed, Fri: 7am-6pm
Saturday: 9am-5pm
Sunday: Closed

Call for Crafters to Join Baby A's Anniversary Celebration on 8/28!

As we're gearing up for our Anniversary celebration on Saturday August 28th -- mark your calendars! -- Baby Awearness owners Ashley and Nicky are pulling out all the stops to make it an exciting, fun, family-friendly day at Baby A. 

As part of the grand festivities, we want to invite local crafters, artisans, and any budding or blossoming eco-friendly business to be part of the event's sidewalk sale tables. This will be a great way to meet customers, sell products, and to use the event as a marketing opportunity for your business. Another great incentive is that Baby A will offer a one-time, special 70/30 consignment fee, meaning you get to keep 70% of the day's profits and only pay Baby Awearness a 30% fee.

New owners Ashley and Nicky feel so tremendously blessed in the store's pilot year that they would like to support other fellow local entrepreneurs, businesses, and the community-at-large at this celebration.

Please contact Lani Lee as soon as possible if you are interested so that a table may be reserved for you. There are only six tables available and they are going fast!

The 3/50 Project and Baby A's 3/50 Spotlight

3/50 is a project that encourages consumers in the U.S. to shop locally and help their homegrown communities to thrive economically. Every month, simply pick three local businesses and commit to spending at least $50 at those places. It can be a total of $50 in the month, or you can choose to spend $50 at each of the three places -- it's up to you and what your budget can afford. But by committing a mere fifty dollars towards a locally-owned business, the compounding result is that we can make a huge difference in sustaining our local economies.

Baby Awearness recently joined its phenomenal list of local, small businesses that are braving the storms of recession and everything else frightening money-wise to ensure that capitalism is alive and well in all forms. After all, freedom of commerce would not be possible if our landscape was covered only with gigantic corporate conglomerates and hegemonic big-box stores.

The beauty of local and/or small businesses is the diversity, originality, and uniqueness of their character. They are spaces where you can purchase ethically manufactured items or discover beautiful handmade goods. The money you spend also supports local artisans, stay-at-home momtreprenurs, and many other professionals who live and work in your neighborhoods.

As a local business owned and operated by women and mothers, Baby Awearness, too, strives to rise above the generic and mundane to bring its customers personal service and wonderful products, all with eco-friendly style. We are more than a retail space. Owners Ashley and Nicky always work hard to make Baby A a special haven where parents and children alike can find support, answers, and insight into being healthy families.

Right in the heart of Manoa, there are tons of great local businesses. In the spirit of 3/50, we will spotlight our favorites every month, starting with Red Ginger Cafe and Gift Shop, of which this posting is perfectly timed with 3/50's Eat Down the Street initiative.

Red Ginger is literally our neighbor next door. They are located on the second level of Manoa Marketplace and like Baby A, rides on the vibe that sustainability and being green, is the way to be, live, and of course, eat!

Their sandwiches and salads are always fresh, served in generous portions, and filled with organic ingredients. The staff is friendly and you feel like part of the ohana whenever you walk in there.

Baby A staff is often found there grabbing lunch or a smoothie to go -- Mele's favorite is the Peanut Butter, Banana, and Honey toast while store manager Julliet loves the Cucumber Sloshie made with organic cucumbers, lemon sherbert and organic soymilk. Lani and Holli often order the Red Ginger Pick-Me-Upper as an alternative meal/caffeine fix. It's a delectable concoction that balances Kau coffee, frozen hot chocolate, organic peanut butter, island bananas, and organic soymilk into a perfect smoothie!

Whenever you need to stop into Baby A, don't forget to also grab a bite or sip of something organic and delicious at Red Ginger. (LL)

** Sage Mamas Making A Difference**

Lauren Rabb, Muse and Mom Behind The Felt Commissary

Here at Baby Awearness, we firmly believe in all things cute and lovable as well as eco-friendly. We are excited to add handmade felt food toys to our growing toy 'n play section (Also keep an eye out for July's "Let's Talk Toys" segment that's posting soon). Next time you're at the store, you'll have to take a look at these beautiful and well-made felt creations. They would make treasured additions to any child's toy collection.

Local mom and crafter Lauren is proudly married to her husband, a Navy man who just passed his 10-year mark this month. Their family is comprised of two young toddlers, their dog Kona, and their newest addition -- a foster St. Bernard named Rook.

In this debut post of our new monthly column Sage Mamas Making A Difference, Lauren shares some thoughts about being a busy momtrepeneur and the inspiration that started The Felt Commissary:

What inspired you to start making your own toys?
I was inspired to make my own toys because of all the recalls on toys that were being made in China. I only had one or two recalled toys but that scared me. Plus I had just spent my hard-earned money to buy toys that my son couldn't play with. I had seen a few felt toys around but they were extremely expensive and almost looked like something I wouldn't want my child to "mess up." So I jumped online and got some ideas from other craft sites and began experimenting.

My first few ventures weren't very pretty. I tried to make an eggplant and it turned out looking like a giant purple chili pepper... it was funny! I really couldn't help but laugh. As I started to get the hang of it, I really enjoyed the sense of pleasure I got from other parents' responses. I got a lot of "you could sell this," though I really didn't think I could until I started to ask people who weren't familiar with eco-friendly toys if they would be willing to pay for handmade toys. When one mom in particular, who told me she would rather spend money in a store "the easy way," saw my felt foods, she became an instant convert! That was validating and nudged me into the direction of turning my craft into a business venture.

On your label, it says you use eco-friendly materials. Where do you get them? Do you make your own felt?

I don't make my own felt... I would love to but I don't think I could keep my prices as low as they are if I were to do that. I get my felt threw local craft suppliers and I try and make my foods around the various colors that are in stock, which can sometimes limit my creativity. I also use locally made fiber-fill. I am a firm believer in helping the local economy.

How do you balance your crafting and business while being a mother?
This is the hardest part of the whole thing! I really have to scrape together little bits of time to make felt toys. I cut out pieces while I am waiting on noodles to cook for mac and cheese, or I sew while my husband and I catch up on our DVR-ed episodes! I really try and make the best of the little bits of time I have. However, I often find myself sitting up late at night crafting these little gems because I can't turn my creativity off long enough to go to bed (LOL).

Can you offer any ideas to parents and kids out there on creative ways to play with their felt food toys?
These felt toys have a wide array of uses. I use them to teach my son (who is 2.5 years old) and soon my daughter (who is 4 months old) about wise food choices. Instead of calling bread just bread I talk about wheat bread. I know he is only 2.5 years old but he seems to like when I explain things in an adult fashion. I also talk to him about carrots and strawberries and then show him our garden and I can see the light bulb go on as he makes the connection at the dinner table when he points out the food on his plate and the felt food on the floor! My husband and I joke that my son is a self-made fruitarian. He doesn't eat meat and would eat fruit for every meal if he could!

Also, the felt foods help sometimes to introduce new items. I also use them to teach colors and counting as well as chores. My son loves to pull out ALL of his felt food and pretend to cook, wash and eat them, but when it comes to the clean up part it can be more difficult. But by being specific it has really helped. For instance, I tell him to "bring me the carrots" and he does!

What is your favorite felt toy food so far?

Wow, I feel picking a favorite felt food is like picking a favorite child. I love them all. I just made pop-sicles or "pops" as they are called at my house and those turned out great! I love the corn in the husk as well as the peel-able bananas! However my son couldn't make it through a day with out his "appies" or apples, real or fake! I can't wait to see what my daughter's favorites are!

Any new foods to look forward to?
I am having fun creating new food that should be in the store soon! I have cupcakes and green apples as well as cherry pie slices. I am also crafting pizzas with removable toppings! That should really be something to look out for!

Baby A: Thank you Lauren for taking the time to make such wonderful handmade goodies to share with us all as well as for inspiring us with your story.
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Sage Mamas Making A Difference is a new monthly column that is now part of Baby A's blossoming blog. If you know of any inspiring moms in our local community, or are one yourself (modesty not required), drop us a line at lani@babyawearness.com so that we may feature your story and endeavors about how you're making a difference right here in paradise. (LL)

Recycle Your Rags Into Diapers

Sway Davis is one haute mama.

Founder and mommy behind Naughty Nappies™, her "other burgeoning baby," Sway has taken cloth diapering up a notch. From her first diaper made from an old t-shirt, today Sway is sewing style into diapers for one and all.

When Sway started making her own cloth diapers for her firstborn, she and her husband didn't realize that they were on to something big. While Naughty Nappies™ does feature its own prints and patterns, Sway encourages her customers to bring in their own materials in the form of t-shirts, old clothes, and other sources of recycled fabrics for custom-made diapers.

For Sway, her business is not just about diapering. “I want to think about it as a sort of lifestyle, a way of helping the earth become a better, healthier place and take it back to where it used to be, where the land is not filled with plastics and water is not contaminated because of the toxic waste we are producing... Diapers don’t need to be the dreaded necessity for every family. It’s about having fun and expressing yourself while paving the road for future generations. I want my baby to be as fashionable as I am. I want to look at babies and say: ‘Wow, that’s some awesome SH*! (no pun intended).’”

Needless to say, Baby Awearness is just as excited and happy to have a mom like Sway in our local cloth diapering circle. If you are interested in having custom cloth diapers made, contact Sway and she will be happy to work with you.

Handmade Lovelies to Have and to Hold

Once upon a time, handmade gifts were the norm. It was not uncommon or unusual for someone to make something to mark a special occasion or person. In this fast and furious time of mass-manufactured products, receiving a handmade gift today is like a breath of fresh air and oftentimes a nice and unexpected surprise.

Stop into Baby Awearness, check out our array of beautiful handmade goodies just in courtesy of Muumuu Heaven, and surprise someone special today.

(From top left, clockwise)
1) A cuddly and adorable Daijyobu Bear. Daijyobu means "no worries, it will be alright," in Japanese. Bears are fashioned out of vintage fabrics, button joints, and pompom eyes. All materials are reclaimed, remnants, or recycled. Available in small and large bear hugs.

2) Peace Catchers, or Bird mobiles. Made from fabric scraps, these birds are strung with shells and vintage beads deconstructed from retro jewelry, and crystal pieces from a chandelier once displayed at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel. The driftwood is from local beaches.

3) Vintage Owl. Like the bears, these owls are made from vintage fabrics and buttons and meant to bring cheer and goodwill. Owls are considered a good omen in Hawaiian and Japanese culture.

4) Heavenly Patchwork Quilt. Lovingly sewn by quilting circles of grandmas and seasoned elders in care homes, these blankets will keep you and your little ones warm, loved, and safe. Again, all fabrics are recycled remnants from muumuus and aloha shirts. (LL)

Roots Remedies Baby Butt Wash: New at Baby aWEARness

From Tara, the maker of Roots Remedies:

"When I was pregnant with my first child my husband and I were befriended by a cloth diapering couple who were members of our co-op. They were excited to pass on to us the exquisite hand-stitched cotton diapers her mother and sister had made for their babies. Their children had been born in Japan where everyone drinks green tea with every meal. They told us that in the hospitals in Japan the nurses would pour the left over tea from the pot into a bottle when the meal was finished. Then they would use it on the babies bottoms when they changed their diapers, to prevent diaper rash. When I gave birth to my daughter, I looked at that beautiful baby skin and thought “no wipe is touching this bottom!”. I remembered the green tea story and did some research. It turns out green tea is used for this purpose in Japan because it is full of tannins which aid in the healing of tissue. It also neutralizes the PH creating an environment that won’t harbor rash-causing bacteria. I added soothing, healing aloe and nature’s great anti-fungal, antibacterial and anti-viral agent: grapefruit seed extract (GSE). I like to put a little bit on a soft cotton washcloth and dab baby’s bottom between diapers. I stay away from spray tops because they can’t be recycled and clog easily. As cloth diaper veterans who used this product on two children, my husband and I agree that a squeezable bottle with a flip-top is the best container for quick-change functionality. You can soak a few soft clothes in Roots Baby Butt-Wash and carry them with you in a baby wipe carrying case for outings. Because of GSE’s ability to kill germs, it can even be used to clean baby after number two."

I'm currently using RR Baby Butt Wash with my daughter Audrey and loving it!
Contains no chemicals, preservatives, alcohols, detergents or perfumes.
Natural and organic ingredients: organic green tea, organic aloe, GSE, essential oil of lavender.
Hand crafted with aloha in Hawaii.

Leafy Green Recipe #001

Kale and Ricotta Salata Bruschetta
by Ashley Lukens

Leafy Green vegetables like Kale, Swiss Chard, Mustard Greens, or Collards are a vital part of your family's diet.They are good sources of many vitamins and minerals your body needs to stay healthy, such as vitamins A, C, and K, folate, iron and calcium. They are also great sources of fiber. Research suggests that the nutrients found in dark green vegetables may prevent certain types of cancers and promote heart health. It is recommended that we eat 3 cups of dark green vegetables per week, or about ½ a cup every day.

Hawaii's climate is well suited for growing leafy greens year round, and buying these locally grown greens are better for the environment, great for Hawaii's local economy, and easy on your wallet. Ma'o Farms, for example, features serveral varieties at their KCC Farmers market stand:

• Mizuna and Mustard Greens
• Tat Soi and Pak Choy
• Collard Greens
• Kale - Red Russian, Lacinato (Toscano), Blue Curly
• Swiss Chard - Rainbow, Fordhook, Ruby

For such an important part of our diet, and such an integral part of Hawaii's local agriculture, leafy greens remain difficult to prepare, particularly in ways that are palatable to the whole family. This leafy green recipe series is an attempt to offer quick, easy and delicious ways to integrate leafy greens into your diet and your cooking repetoire. The specific recipe is inspired by Town Restaurant, that always has delicious locally grown food on their menu (including bruschetta) and a Wilted Greens Recipe I found on the Food Network website. I made it tonight and it was DELISH!

Ingredients

• 1 Olive baguette
• 1 large bunch Kale
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1/2 yellow onion, peeled and thinly sliced
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 1/2 cup vegetable broth
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 3 ounces ricotta salata cheese

Directions
Slice Olive bread into this slices, drizzle with olive oil and broil until crisp. Set aside.
Wash the greens, but do not dry. Trim the large stems and coarsely chop. Set aside.
Warm 3 tablespoons of olive oil in a large, heavy pot over medium-high heat.
Add the onions and garlic and saute for 4 minutes.
Add the greens, vegetable broth, soy sauce, and pepper. Cook, stirring often, until the greens have wilted and become tender, about 3 to 5 minutes.
Transfer the cooked greens to a serving bowl and crumble the ricotta salata cheese over the top. Mix and pile atop toasted Olive Bread slices.