I tend to think it’s easier to buy ethically for babies and kids than for adults, mainly because there are just so many organic kids brands around, and the price per item can often be a lot more comparable to other brands. So, lucky babies! Organic is often said to be better for babies skin, which might be true, however it’s also better for our earth. Organic & fair trade products mean in general the workers have better conditions, and of course handmade is amazing too as we can support local artists and designers! Here are some of my favourite baby pieces.

1. Long Sleeve Bodysuit: Birds in Trees by Sapling. A little family run Australian business, Sapling produces certified organic cuteness for babies. Read our interview with Sapling here.

2. Stripe Hoodie and Play Pant Marle by Broken Tricycle. Practical but super cute clothes for babies and toddlers, PLUS certified organic.

3. Long Sleeve Bodysuit in Atlas Print by Nature Baby. This New Zealand based company have a massive range and have been making organic baby clothing for 15 years – I think their newest range of prints are just fantastic.

4. Organic Penguin Bib by Down Home Amy. Handmade, hand printed, organic and adorable.

5. Handmade Unisex Cotton Spot Sweater by Fable Baby. You may have seen Fable around the design market scene – their baby clothes are so gorgeous you’ll want a grown up version of everything, plus it’s all handmade in Australia and mostly organic.

6. Knot Hat – Mushroom by Duns. Duns baby and kids clothes are organic but still have these amazingly vibrant colours – completely Swedish-cool.

7. Green Splotch Bodysuit by Baobab. These guys have some of the most timeless but still on-trend baby and kids styles around, with some great organic unisex clothing for bubs that’s not just lemon yellow!

8. Lap Tee – Construction Red by Winter Water Factory. My only problem with Winter Water Factory is that their baby prints are so amazing the clothes always sell out far too quick. Seriously, go check out the baby romper section and be amazed. Organic and made in the USA.

9. Organic Bodysuit – Bears by Sture & Lisa. More Swedish-cool! Bright, awesome and lots of great unisex in organic cotton again.

10. Juicy Fresh Vinyl Toddler Bloomers by The Smallest Tribe. Handmade from organic cotton, love these colours. Plus, The Smallest Tribe has one of the most positive, kid-empowering messages ever.

Let me know if I’ve missed your favourite ethically made baby brand? Penny

It’s actually fairly easy to shop ethically these days, when there are plenty of Australian made, organic & fairtrade, handmade or secondhand options around. I know organic and locally made clothing often has a bit of a reputation as being rather expensive, so let’s break it down.

Secondhand / Vintage
My hands-down favourite way to buy clothing is op shopping or thrifting. I love that buying preloved means I’m getting something someone else might not have. It’s mostly about the thrill of the hunt – you never know what you might find! There’s plenty of vintage and secondhand to be found online as well – eBay anyone?
Pros: you’re reusing an item that’s already been loved – no new resources were used.
Cons: you have to find it first!
Lust-list: Vintage 1960s Blue and Green Silk Tropical Floral Print Wiggle Frock from VintageFrocksofFancy

Ethically Made
This is a no-brainer – ethically made means that you’re purchasing something thoughtfully, which is hopefully made of organic fibers and been made by workers who’re paid a fair wage. There are many different accreditation systems for ethically made, but I like to look for fairtrade, organic and eco-friendly items. Ethical Clothing Australia is a good place to begin!

Pros: you’re supporting worker’s rights to a safe workplace and a fair wage.
Cons: there are heaps of labels out there who may not be as eco-friendly or fairtrade as they claim – look for accredited brands or ask questions!
Lust-list: Men’s Triangle Print Tee by People Tree

Homemade
Making your own clothes is great. You can get a perfect fit, use any fabric you want, and the sky’s the limit in terms of style! Plus, you can pay yourself whatever you like! Just make sure to try and find some great organic or vintage / secondhand fabrics. Check out your local op shop!

Pros: you made it yourself! Sweet satisfaction.
Cons: you need to know how to sew. You can totally teach yourself though!
Lust-list: Bow Shirt 02 Pattern by BurdaStyle

Handmade
And finally, there are so many independent labels around run by talented designers and makers creating clothing in small runs, making one of a kind pieces, or even making bespoke pieces tailored just for you.

Pros: support a local designer, buy something truly unique, and have it tailored just to you.
Cons: are there any?
Lust-list: Pink Flamingo Dress with Peter Pan Collar by Kissyface

If you have any favourite handmade or ethically made labels, great sources for vintage and secondhand or resources for DIY clothing please leave a comment. More posts soon!

I love doing news roundups because there’s so much fun / fascinating / important stuff happening around town, and it’s nice to share! I usually tweet via @pennyeager or @_ohmygreen, if you like.

News this week:

Edible spoons. I mean, you can use celery or a carrot stick as a spoon, but these spoons by Triangle Tree are a pretty rad idea. It appears they’re not available for sale yet, but maybe soon? (Triangle Tree, via Inhabitat).

A water bottle filter system so awesome it can filter all the nasties out of a bottle of cola and turn it into regular drinkable water. (OKO)

A couple of my favourite Australian organic kids brands are having quite good sales at the moment. Check out Baobab for kids and Broken Tricyle for tots.

Have you checked out Create & Thrive? Tips for running a successful creative business. Plus, they’re currently having a bit of a sale on their e-books. Check it out.

If you’re anything like me, you take far too long to recycle old televisions and computers. TechCollect recycle in Australia.

Heard of Renew Newcastle? Now there’s a Renew Docklands – if you’ve ever visited Docklands you’ll absolutely know that it needs renewal! (Article on The Age)

Growing Challenge (Month 1) from The Little Veggie Patch Co on Vimeo.

One of the reasons I don’t tend to try harder at growing veggies in my garden is that I usually get an extremely small yield – a tomato here, a spring onion there, a worm eaten beetroot or a bitter little radish. (Possibly this is due to the fact that my garden is mostly concrete but still). I have loved The Little Veggie Patch Co for a good while now – their determination in helping us suburban folks in growing our own foods is endlessly enthusiastic, plus my heart always swells a little when I see their cute little van driving around my hood, with the guys wearing their straw hats.

But for the more economically minded among us, their Growing Challenge is a pretty rad idea – tracking how much in financial value their little veggie patch is growing for them, month by month. Take a look! And you can visit the garden at Fed Square in Melbourne too.

Follow Little Veggie Patch Co on Facebook for all the veggie growing gossip. xx

Did you see that MONA (Tasmania’s amazing art gallery / museum) is opening a Red Queen themed exhibition soon? I might just have to go down there again! It made me think of tea parties, and then after several hours of poking around on Etsy and the internet in general I have some fun tea party finds. Etsy is one of my favourite places to shop online because it literally has everything.

1. Vintage 1950s SWIRL wrap dress from BessGeorgette – for wearing to the tea party! Buying vintage is great because you’ll be wearing something nobody else will, and you don’t need to worry about your hard earned cash supporting a company who uses sweatshops.
2. Vintage baby blue imperial 70 typewriter from epochco – for writing invitations or just adding to the awesomeness of your home.
3. Screen Printed Organic Cotton Bicycle Cloth Napkins by ohlittlerabbit – recycled paper napkins are usually pretty ugly, but cloth napkins are the best. Use them over & over!
4. Card – You’re Seriously the Best by HappyDappyBits – for inviting friends to your tea party, or thanking them for attending.
5. Vereco: blue cup/saucers, set of six from ThatRetroPiece – for sipping soy chai, or maybe a hot chocolate.

P.S. I think at the tea party we would eat this cake (love me some raw food desserts) and listen to some Thao & The Get Down Stay Down. xx