Tatyanna Wright's Haute Mama

Go Green

You are invited to a special presentation by Haute Mama & Citibabes

Please RSVP: [email protected]

Film Review: My Toxic Baby

Whether we like it or not, toxins surround us - from our food, our household and body products, to our children’s toys, bedding, and the houses we live in - invisible toxins are everywhere.

In a new documentary My Toxic Baby, award-winning filmmaker, Min Sook Lee seeks to find affordable answers to the question: Are there alternatives to the toxic wasteland we’ve created for ourselves? “My Toxic Baby is a very personal, sometimes funny and occasionally sad look at a current issue in our times”. Lee says.

More than just a film about toxins in baby products, My Toxic Baby reveals how much we consume and waste. Looking at alternatives, Lee discovers that many of the ‘new’ theories are actually age-old practices humans are re-connecting with from diapering and nursing to food concerns.

Lee unexpectedly discovers that her own home is above normal levels for certain toxins like PCB’s and lead. Shocked, she decides to get herself and her young daughter tested for chemical substances - with disappointing results. 

My Toxic Baby is a potent and inspiring film for everyone. Whether you care about the environment, the sustainability of our planet, are a parent or simply curious and disbelieve in chemical exposure in everyday items, My Toxic Baby will open your eyes to the toxic world around you.

My Toxic Baby will be screened at a special presentation in New York City by Haute Mama and Citibabes on Thursday, February 4^th. What shade of green will you wear?

Book: How To Behave And Why

I love this book, it's got one of those titles that catch your eye and draw you in. Presently, my husband, five year old son and self are experiencing some behaviour issues at home and this little book is proving to be a sane saviour.

How To Behave And Why is a children's classic by author Murano Leaf, and one in a series on timeless messages. Recently back in print to my absolute delight, is a must have book for every child's collection. Its a fun read for parents and an interesting listen for children. You might get a bewildered look when they hear: "Grown ups aren't some kind of weird monsters that have fun making us do things we don't want to do". My son looked at me as if I'd made up the book and written it to suit the 'rules' we'd been discussing lately on shouting and listening. The book touches on lying, stealing, cheating and why these things aren't good; the importance of listening, and becoming an honest, fair, strong and wise individual.

I strongly recommend this book to parents looking for some guidance in a fun and unique way. Recommended for 5 - 6 year olds and anyone looking to improve their manners.

 

Miravos Bamboo Nursing Wear

Stylish, sexy, and stress free! These aren’t usually words I’d use to describe breastfeeding in public - that is until I wore Miravos nursing wear. The thought of nursing apparel has always left me with the image of an over sized cape or poncho used to hide my breastfeeding baby beneath. Not any more.

As a nursing mother, fashion fiend and someone always on the lookout for mother inspired products I absolutely love the designs from Miravos. They are forward, made from bamboo and elegantly house my milk filled mammaries without making me fear a public feed.   

Miravos is an Argentine colloquial expression better translated as "look at you" and literally as "fabulous" or "wonderful". Created by Maud Maron, a former public defender and mother of two (Maud is expecting her third child next month): “I really didn't enjoy pulling up t-shirts and exposing my tummy (which wasn't ready for the post-baby debut) or pulling down on necklines and having a lot of breast exposed or fussing about with buttons while managing to feed”. Frustrated with the lack of options Maud launched Miravos in 2009. “I was very startled to find how limited the selection of nursing clothes was and how hard to locate. I couldn't find what I was looking for so Miravos came into existence”.

Seeking an eco-friendly fiber, Maud decided to use bamboo: “We wanted an eco-friendly fabric that would be good for a breast-feeding mom. Bamboo is a sustainable fabric, has a natural anti-bacterial agent and holds up to a lot of washing, is comfortable, breathable, non-synthetic and yet still feels luxurious”.

I can attest to that. The pieces are sumptuous with a cotton jersey like texture and they wash exceptionally well, do not shrink, and become softer with each wash. The pieces drape and complement in all the right places, perfect for pregnancy, post birth and breastfeeding. I love the Hudson-tee it cascades beautifully over my chest cleverly concealing non-wanted cleavage while allowing me access to my breasts and the ruched sides flatter my waistline. The pieces are designed with wearing a nursing bra in mind and therefore can accommodate various sized breasts. “We designed the pieces mindful that bust size changes on individual women over the course of breast-feeding so we built in flexibility that allows for different bust size”. Simply put, Miravos!

You can purchase Miravos directly at Miravos.us or in Manhattan at Capucine and in Brooklyn at Bump. Haute Mama thanks Miravos for the gorgeous samples.

Green Resolutions for the New Year

Happy New Year! Make this years resolution green, it’s easier than you think. Start with simply replacing existing products as they run out with eco-friendly ones. For example when you’re Windex is through, buy a natural glass cleaner, when you next need laundry detergent go for an environmentally friendly one and so on. This way you won’t be spending an enormous amount all at once or wasting and throwing away your current household products.

Letsgogreen.com has an “all you need to go green” list for homes of various sizes. They sell starter kits to get you going if you’re not sure where to buy products or what to look for. The kit includes everything from cleaning products and sponges to light bulbs and garbage bags.

Worried about harmful dyes or synthetic detergents entering your babies pours and not sure how to buy natural? When it comes to baby, a good place to start is with body care. Little Twig sell sets that include organic baby wash essentials and bath time basics. An excellent place to start shopping for baby and child organic clothing basics is Under The Nile, they offer inexpensive good quality onesies, underwear, pj’s, blankets and toys.

Finally, plan ahead and register now for a living Christmas tree. You’ll receive an emailed reminder in October for your tree. Renting a potted tree means you are not buying one that will be cut down for Christmas, but goes on living. The trees are delivered before Christmas and picked up afterwards. Some nurseries offer tree adoption so you can watch your tree grow with each season.   

Have a wonderful new year and remember small changes have huge impacts.