Be Cool in Bamboo: a must-have for summer

As the weather heats up, why wouldn't you wear clothing made of fabric that's not only ultra comfortable and eco-friendly, but keeps you cool too?

Bamboo - called the eco-wonder by many - is truly an ideal fabric for hot weather. It is thermal regulating so stays 2-3 degrees cooler in hot temperatures and absorbs moisture 3-4 times better than cotton. Plus it's naturally anti-microbial requiring no added harmful chemicals. It contains an agent, "bamboo kun", that prevents bacteria from cultivating on it and keeps it odour-free.

Did we mention it's soft? Our bamboo socks actually feel like cashmere. Not bad for $10.

Plus wearing bamboo is good for the planet. Bamboo is one of the world's most prolific and fastest-growing plants, and is able to reach maturity in about four years, compared to the typical 25 to 70 years for commercial tree species in North America. Bamboo is nature's most sustainable resource and is naturally regenerative. Some bamboo species grow up to 4 feet per day and can be harvested every 3 to 4 years.

Bamboo apparel is thermal regulating, anti-fungal, anti-static and will keep you cooler, drier, warmer and odour-free. Again, we ask, why wouldn't you wear it this summer?

Browse our collection of eco-chic bamboo clothing at Lavish & Lime.

3 Reasons Every Kid Should Keep a Hat On

Finally, summer feels like it's on its way - and they say it's going to be a hot one. Time to start gearing up for some serious sun protection.

Everyone should keep their heads covered, but with kids it's critical:

1. Up to 80% of sun damage is received by 18 years of age;
2. Teaching them to wear a hat at a young age will help kids develop good sun safety practices and avoid the risks of melanoma later;
3. A hat helps protect their eyes from glare, especially if kids don't always wear sunglasses.

Choosing the right hat is key. The best hats for sun protection have at least a 3-inch brim (8 cm) all the way around. Baseball hats do not protect the ears or back of neck.

For kids, a hat with a chin strap works best - not only so it doesn't go flying off on the boat, but for the little ones who are anti-hat you can simply put it on (despite the protests!) and soon they'll forget about it and move on. Hopefully.

Fun and funky patterns will also work towards encouraging kids to wear a hat. For boys, try a safari animal or classic fire truck print. For girls go for a groovy flower hat complete with a big gerber daisy on the front or an ultra stylish 'ma cherie' fifi the poodle hat in yellow and minty green.

Alternatively, try the revolutionary adjustable hat. With an elastic around the hat's circumference and a toggle at the back, this hat can be constantly adjusted for a custom fit and years of wear. It only comes in two sizes: 0-2 years and 2-8 years, so if you have any doubt about sizing, this is definitely the hat for you.

So get out and enjoy the summer sun - just be sure to grab a hat for the wee one first.

Visit Lavish & Lime for a great selection of kids sun hats in prints and solids from size 0 and up.

Fun is Key to School Fundraising Event Success

Candy floss, music, laughter, games, sunshine - it was a real carnival atmosphere. It was fun! 'It' was the Ross Road Spring Carnival on Friday night and we were there with bells on, well actually Lavish & Lime t-shirts.

We made a 'live' appearance at the carnival's Retail Alley and loved every minute of it. Why? We like to support local when we can and also, this was a fun event.

There were the school choirs on a flat bed truck, the ever-popular cake walk, dance/karate demos, bubble blowing, chalk drawing, hair painting (in lieu of face), karaoke, lots of food, a booth where you could pet and hold snakes (my absolute least favourite), the freebie corporate booth from BC Hydro's Powersmart program and the games - 'cow' milking, 'fishing' pond, choose a lollie from the lollipop tower, football throwing and more. Then there was the walk around by the Olympic mascots Sumi, Quatchi and Miga - a big hit.

The kids were running around having a great time. So were the adults.

Not surprisingly, we've heard the organizers were happy with the dollar results. With so much going on, the event had atmosphere. It felt like a real carnival. It was fun. A lot of work, but fun.

PS. Looking to raise funds for your school or group through something other than an event? Check out our fundraising program at our online eco boutique Lavish & Lime.

A Mother's Day to Remember

It was one of those days that you know will stay with you forever. Or at least you hope it will.

We spent Mother's Day on the Sunshine Coast, just north of Vancouver, and on this day the idyllic spot truly lived up to its name. The sun was bright, the tide was low and the socks and shoes quickly came off for a barefoot run around on the wet sand with our two little ones. It was a taste of the highly anticipated summer we're looking forward to after such an unusually snowy winter.

Then there was the garden tidy up. Little Lucy was determined to help Mum trim the grass with her kiddie scissors and followed me along until a caterpillar appeared, naturally. So we put the caterpillar in a bucket with grass and leaves - at this point older sister joined in - and we all watched it explore the bucket's interior until it decided to move on.

Now don't get me wrong. I love presents - always have, always will and I adore the recycled wood necklace I received yesterday. It's just that these two moments in time were amazing. Why? I can only think it's either because I'm getting older and appreciate them more, or now that we're moving through the sleepless nights and dirty diapers, I actually have a moment to take a step back and appreciate what being a Mom really means.

Hope you enjoyed a special moment in your day too.

Eco-Winner Gets $200 Prize

We're so happy she's happy. A big congratulations to Jen S. of Burnaby, BC - the winner of our Great Eco-Giveaway.

Jen won more than $200 worth of green products in our biggest giveaway yet! To celebrate Earth Day 2009 and the relaunch of an eco-friendly Lavish & Lime, we teamed up with our friends at online grocer Spud! and the creators of Naturebag - thanks very much to both of you - to give one lucky winner a great green prize.

We had hundreds of entries over the giveaway's two-week run, but it was Jen's name that came up in our random draw.

"Thanks so much, how exciting to get all these goodies!" said Jen. "I'm especially looking forward to ordering my groceries from Spud, and taking my usual shopping night off for once."

Thank you, Jen, for sending in the lovely photo.

And thanks to all of you who entered. Keep a look out for our next great giveaway...coming soon.

Visit Lavish & Lime to browse the products Jen won.