Accessorize those Rain Drops: Rain Hats for Kids

While there may be snow already in other parts of Canada, here in Vancouver it's all about the rain - at the moment.

After our great summer, we honestly can't complain. In fact, to us born and bred West Coasters, the grey days are a bit of a comfort at this time of year. For kids however, they're not so great. There's more clothes to wear, boots and hoods that never stay on and if they do, they don't seem to protect their little faces from getting soaked.

Next time you bundle them up to play outside on a rainy day, consider adding a wide-brimmed rain hat to their gear. Not only does the brim protect their faces - and eyelashes - from being laden with wet drops, but the velcro chin strap keeps the hat on so there's no more need for you to worry whether a hood is on or not. Plus, unlike a hood, the hat allows a child full peripheral vision and doesn't cover the ears. They're also lined with a viscose from bamboo/cotton blend that's ultra-soft and keeps their heads warm.

The best part is these hats are made in Canada and feature colourful and funky prints that kids love. Choose from flower power, paisley or pink bloom for girls and a stripey blue bucket style for boys. Even better, for the next two weeks they're our Rainy Day Special and have been reduced by 15% - shop now while stocks last!

Browse our collection of kids rain hats at Lavish & Lime. If you have any thoughts or ideas about playing in the rain or rain gear, leave a comment below. We'd love to hear from you!

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.

Bamboo is Best

Bamboo fabric. Reputedly softer than the softest cotton on the market today. Believe it.

My blue bamboo scarf feels so good around my neck, I never want to take it off. In fact, sometimes I don't.

Since scarves are the accessory of the season (or is it the clutch? depends on who you read), I feel quite good about it becoming my accessory of the season. Plus it's made from bamboo - good for the planet and good for me.

Bamboo is considered nature’s most sustainable and naturally regenerative resource. Bamboo fabric is exquisitely soft to the touch and is naturally anti-microbial, hypoallergenic, thermal
regulating and odor free. Bamboo is grown without fertilizers, pesticides or insecticides and is biodegradable. My scarf is made with non-toxic and AZO free dyes.

Since bamboo is grown in abundance in China, this is where the majority of bamboo clothing is made. Banish any environmental concerns however, as the U.S. company that actually made my scarf keeps a watchful eye over the process of breaking down the bamboo stalks to make them into fibre and has close relationships the factories and workers, ensuring they're aligned with the vision of providing nurturing natural products while consciously caring for people and the environment.

The factory that sews the fabric has expanded in the last three years, employing more local women from the village and bringing in more family members.

So there it is. Feel good wearing it, feel good about wearing it.

Our brand new bamboo line has just arrived in time for Christmas - not only is it chic, it's surprisingly affordable. Scarves like mine from $23, matching lightweight hats for him or her for just $21, plus there's heavenly nightshirts that double as day wear and gorgeous wraps in a lovely mushroom brown or classic go-with-absolutely-everything black.

Shop Lavish & Lime for super soft bamboo clothing accessories and a great selection of other great green gifts.

Green Gift Guide: Top 10 Eco-Chic Gifts for Christmas

Green is definitely the new white this holiday season.

Think eco-friendly and feel good about the gifts you give. Plus they don't have to be boring, or beige. Bright colours and innovative designs mean this Christmas going green never looked so good.

Here's our guide to the top 10 eco-friendly gift picks for her, him and the little ones for a green Christmas.

1) Market Tote 3-Pack: for Her
Why a great green choice? Cuts down on plastic bag use and helps reduce the landfill. Made in Canada so minimal carbon footprint.

Fashion meets function with this stylish grocery tote. Made of 100% cotton with a comfortable webbed handle, it holds up to 3X more than the average plastic shopping bag and includes an interior elastic band for storing a bottle upright. $40

2) Recycled Rectangle Necklace: for Her
Why a great green choice? Handcrafted in Canada using recycled, re-melted, and recombined sterling silver components.

This unique rectangular pendant can easily be worn two ways - horizontally for a wide angle look or turned to the vertical. The rectangle hangs from a delicate, double chain that loops around the sides of the pendant. $52

3) Discs of Life Reclaimed Wood Necklace: for Her
Why a great green choice? Handcrafted from recycled African ebony hardwood. Made in Canada so a minimal carbon footprint.

This chic silver string of five eco-friendly wooden shapes is certain to make a lasting impression. 32" length $92

4) Bamboo Nightshirt: for Her
Why a great green choice? Bamboo is considered nature’s most sustainable and naturally regenerative resource. Bamboo fabric is softer than the softest cotton on the market today and is grown without fertilizers, pesticides or insecticides and is biodegradable. This nightshirt is made with non-toxic and AZO free dyes.

A super soft option for comfy nightwear that also looks and feels great as a long shirt with jeans. Short sleeve, rounded neck, falls above the knee. 95% viscose from bamboo, 5% spandex. S,M,L in black and cielo blue available $49

5) Purple Clutch: for Her
Why a great green choice? Handmade in Canada using high quality naugahyde vinyl from the USA - free of solvents and ozone depleting chemicals - a hard wearing alternative to animal leather and all the resources used to raise animals.

Purple is the colour of the season and this clutch is it. Two snap pockets, sturdy zip and easy to wipe clean with a damp cloth. $36

6) Wooden Pirate Ship: for Kids
Why a great green choice? Made from replenishable rubber wood which is preservative free and processed naturally. No harmful additives or coloring are used and all paints are tested for safety. Made by PlanToys which practices the “Three R’s” of green living: Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle. Their manufacturing processes are designed to reduce waste and save energy.

This wonderful pirate ship includes a one-eyed black beard and a dastardly crew of four, with lifeboat and hungry croc. Age 3 years + $55

7) Bug Balance Game: for Kids Why a great green choice? Made from replenishable rubberwood which is preservative free and processed naturally. No harmful additives or coloring are used and all paints are tested for safety. Also made by PlanToys®.

Roll the dice and catch the bugs and then place them on the tree to see how long they can stay on for. The tree is 10.6" high. Age 3+ $25

8) Soda Can Robot Kit: for Kids
Why a great green choice? Gives kids a hands-on education about the value of recycling everyday objects.

Build, recycle and create a unique robot that is as much a science project as it is a toy. The robug emits a buzzing sound like a real bug and moves across the floor. Great fun from a recycled can (not included). Crank and wind energy kits also available. Ages 8+

9) Mini Crank Lantern: for Him
Why a great green choice? Offers a real alternative to grid electricity or fossil fuels. Made by Freeplay Energy, who through its non-profit Freeplay Foundation has distributed more than 160,000 Lifeline radios since 2003 in Africa and beyond, conservatively reaching six million listeners and making Freeplay the world leader in transferring wind-up technology to those least able to access the information and education that could help lift them out of poverty.

Reputedly the best self sufficient rechargeable lantern on the market. When you wind for power, the self-charge mechanism converts over 74% of your kinetic energy into stored electricity. The task light is ideal for reading at night, and an effective flashlight for walking around the campground. $32

10) Mohair Throw: for Anyone who Likes to Be Warm
Why a great green choice? Recycled yarn samples have been used to create the fringe.

A colourful, multi-texture rainbow fringe accents this stunning, lightweight mohair mix throw. The robin's egg blue colour adds an instant touch of elegant coziness to any room. Also available in white snow, dark grey and chocolate brown. 70"x53" $160

These and other eco-chic gifts are available at Vancouver-based online boutique Lavish & Lime. We ship across Canada and offer a $5 gift wrapping service plus gift enclosure cards with a personal handwritten message - for free.

Let it Rain

We know it will. Rain that is - especially here on the wetcoast, which is probably why we fell in love with these hats.

Made locally in Vancouver by a brilliant mompreneur, our new kids' rain hat not only looks fabulous but puts to rest the seemingly endless hood struggle.

Think about it. How often have you chased your kids around the playground saying (shouting?) 'put up your hood'? How hard is it to see sideways with a hood on? And doesn't it seem like your hearing takes a little nose dive with a hood up?

Then there's the times when they look up at you with drops of rain hanging from their eyelashes and little button noses, even when they're dutifully wearing their hoods.

This wide brim hat actually keeps rain off the face and the velcro chin strap keeps it firmly on.

Made of 100% cotton fabric coated with waterproof polyurethane and lined with super soft organic cotton with bamboo, it's easy to wipe clean or, if necessary, hand wash in cold.

The hat comes in four fun and colourful patterns: flower power, spring bloom, paisley and boy blue and in sizes fitting 12 months up to 6 years.

Trust us, this one's a winner. Once your child wears it once, she won't want to leave the house again without it, even if it's not raining.

The kids' rain hat is available at Lavish & Lime.

WIN WIN WIN a Paisley blue/brown rain hat for your little puddle jumper. To enter, simply leave a comment on this post before midnight PST November 1.