Essentials for Summer: Buddha Boards

According to one of Canada's leading online sources for Canadian moms, Savvymom.ca, our Travel Buddha Board is a must-have favourite summer essential.

The Savvymom.ca writers say the handy laptop style water painting buddha board is good for entertaining the kids on airplanes, car trips and on rainy days.

Why did it make their list of essentials for summer? "The Buddha Board is covered with a special material that allows you to paint on it with plain, old water. No mess, no waste, you paint with the special fillable water pen, enjoy your creation and then when it dries, start again. It’s very zen and the laptop-style with folding cover and pen holder is perfect for travel. ($25, available in blue or red at lavishandlime.com)"

The Travel Buddha Board is ideal as a travel activity in the car for those longer road trips.

At Lavish & Lime, we particularly like the 'no mess, no waste' bit plus the fact that there's no chemicals or toxins involved.

The buddha board also comes as the larger Laptop Buddha Board in five great colours with a bamboo brush and in a handy pop-in-your-purse smaller gift size, the Mini Buddha Board.

The Travel Buddha Board Water Wizard is available at Vancouver-based eco boutique Lavish & Lime. For more ideas about summer 2010 essentials, including natural sunscreen and natural DEET-free insect repellent, visit Lavish & Lime. If you have any thoughts or ideas about buddha boards or water painting in general, please leave a comment below. We'd love to hear from you!

Natural Art Supplies: Clementine Natural Felt Markers Now in Canada

We're so excited - our Clementine all natural art supplies have arrived! We're particularly keen on the NEW Clementine natural felt markers. They're made from all natural plant and animal pigments - no toxic chemicals. They're the first of their kind on the market and they're safer than most standard markers.

Say goodbye to worries when you see your little one hard at work doing some self-tattooing! These naturally non-toxic felt markers are not harmful.

Clementine natural markers currently come as a pack of four colours: pink, yellow, orange and purple. These are the first of the colours Clementine has been able to master with their vibrant natural pigments. They are currently working on a full range of colours including green and black, which should be ready for the fall.

Not only are these felt tips pure and simple, so is their packaging. The box is recycled, recyclable and made by with soy ink in a wind-powered facility.

We've also just received Clementine natural rocket crayons and Clementine paint is on its way. We're certain you and your little ones will love these vibrant, natural art supplies as much as we do!

Clementine natural markers and a great selection of natural art supplies are available at online eco boutique Lavish & Lime. If you have any thoughts or ideas about natural art supplies, please leave a comment below. We'd love to hear from you!

Egg-Shaped Crayon Rocks: sugar-free Easter treats

Easter treats don't have to be sugar-laden to be loved. For a sugar-free eco alternative to the traditional chocolate and candy treats, try our egg-shaped crayon rocks made of natural soy wax.

The kids will love the unique shape and the bright colours they can create with these pastel-like crayons. You'll love the fact crayon rocks are made in the US from sustainable soybeans and that the pebble shape encourages and strengthens the proper tripod grip (to help with handwriting).

Give natural crayon rocks for Easter and you'll be letting loose your kids' creative streak rather than their sugar streak. Plus, on Easter Sunday, isn't it nice for them to have something to do?

Crayon rocks come in packs of 16 and 64. The 16-pack comes in a lovely natural muslin drawstring bag. The 64-pack of crayon rocks comes in a flat recyclable box.

Visit Vancouver-based eco boutique Lavish & Lime for crayon rocks and more eco-friendly Easter finds plus loads of ideas about living life a little greener. If you have any thoughts or ideas about great Easter gifts, please leave a comment below. We'd love to hear from you!