This contest has ended. Thanks to all that entered!
On top of being the woman who carried her dog in a purse, I’m also the crazy cat lady. Well, before I had Ella anyways. We have 4 cats all over the age of 11. The oldest, Pepper, was rescued from a river 15 years ago. Then, my baby boy Outkast was born in 1995. I helped pull him out of his mom since she was having problems giving birth. He became my side kick and never played with the other kittens, that’s how he became Outkast… not because of the band. In 97, Outkast’s mom was hit by a car and I then adopted Tiagra. Sounds like T-I-gra. Then in 98, around Halloween, I had the desire to get a black cat and bought Mo Jo. Apparently you can’t adopt black cats in the months of September and October here so I bought him from a pet store.

Before Ella, the kitties were spoiled with catnip toys weekly, treats and other fun things. Now, I just don’t have the money to spend $5 for 1 toy. So, I went on a hunt for handmade cat toys and came up with some awesome toys on Etsy. If you don’t know about Etsy, you’ve got to check them out!!! Etsy is made up of individuals who sell unique handmade merchandise at great prices.

I came across Casbah Kitten and fell in love with their organic catnip toys. All of their toys are made from Eco felt. Eco felt is made with post consumer recycled plastic which is transformed into a soft felt. Casbah Kitten also grows their own organic catnip outside of their studio window! And it totally passed my kitties test. Most people overlook Eco-friendly products when buying pet products. I know I haven’t seen them at Petsmart or other local pet stores. So all it takes is a few internet searches to find tons of great toys, treats, and other supplies for your pets.

My kitties were sent a bag of 7 Jelly Beans from Casbah Kitten and the inner kitten was brought out in all of them. Since they all are older, they don’t play as much as they used to. I was really happy to see them running around batting the Jelly Beans and rolling around playing. I love the vibrant colors and they are easy to find hidden around the house. The Jelly Beans are also the perfect size to be carried around. Plus you get 7 Jelly Beans in a bag for only $7!
Here is a picture of the happy kitties.
Pepper went into hiding when I went outside with the Jelly Beans, so he missed out on the photoshoot. But he did get a Jelly Bean and was a happy fat cat. Tiagra and Pepper are our outside kitties since they have issues with marking their territory.

The Giveaway: Casbah Kitten is giving one my my lucky readers a bag of 7 Jelly Beans
The Rules: You have until 11:59 p.m. EST September 30, 2009 to enter. The winner will be chosen by random.org and announced after they respond to the winning email. The winner has 48 hours to respond to the winning email, or a new winner will be chosen. You must leave your email address! This contest is open to the US

5. Enter another giveaway I have going on and tell me which one or leave a comment on a non-giveaway post
6. Go to The Casbah Kitten Blog and tell me one of the kitties names and Follow their blog
7. Tell me a charity Casbah Kitten supports
8. Grab the Eco-friendly Pet Week button and post on your blog or FB page

This giveaway has ended. Thanks for entering!
Before I had Ella, Priscilla was my baby. Priscilla, aka Prissy, is my 6 year old Shih-tzu. Now, I’m not really a small dog person. But Prissy was a gift for my dad and she didn’t get along with his dogs, so she became mine. Prissy lives up to her name, yet she is a tom boy at heart. That is her in the button for pet week- in mid-run about to leap off of a dock into a lake.

Since I didn’t have a child, Prissy became my pseudo baby. She let me dress her up, put bows in her hair and let me carry her around in a bag. Yes, I was one of those people. When I worked at a photo studio in the mall, she would come in on pet nights and just hang out. She is a good dog. But since the birth of Ella, Prissy isn’t as spoiled as she used to be. I don’t come home with bags of toys or buy cute little outfits for her to wear around the house. Now, it’s just necessities.

In Charlotte our winters aren’t brutal, but it does get down in the 20’s-30’s quite often. Shih-tzu’s have thin coats and sweaters are a must on frigid days. As I was browsing around looking at pet gear I came across Puppy Pie and fell in love!

Puppy Pie makes beautiful Eco-friendly dog sweaters from reclaimed wool and cashmere clothing. They are thoroughly cleaned and sanitized and then made into unique sweaters for your dog. I love that there is a dog clothing company who is reducing the amount of waste by reusing fabrics in creative, high end fashion for your dog!! Don’t worry, you won’t spend $100 on a dog cashmere sweater, they have Eco-friendly prices. Since the fabrics have gone through a felting and shrinking process, you are able to wash the sweaters in case your puppy rolls around in the dirt. Each sweater is a one of a kind original handmade in California. They come in sizes 0-3, or chest sizes 13-23 inches.

Priscilla got 2 sweaters from Puppy Pie to review and was the happiest puppy in the world when I put them on her! I had no clue she missed dressing up… who would have thought. She had to show off and prance around everyone that stopped by when she was wearing her new sweaters. It was too cute.
The Button Back Girl is made from recycled cashmere and is super soft. I love the button details on the ruffles! You can unbutton the sweater to get it on or off or you can slip the sweater on over your dogs head. It will definitely keep your dog warm in cool temperatures. The stitching is built to last and is flawless. It even has a tiny recycled sign at the bottom.
This is a sweater from the Sample Sale going on right now. It is not made from cashmere, but with cotton. The sample sale items are early prototypes for the wool and cashmere lines. There are several sweaters in the sale, so be sure to check them out. I love the belt with this sweater!! It so fits Prissy’s personality.

The Giveaway: Puppy Pie wants to give 1 lucky reader a reclaimed wool sweater in their choice of style, size and gender!

The Rules: You have until 11:59 p.m. EST September 29, 2009 to enter. The winner will be chosen by random.org and announced after they respond to the winning email. The winner has 48 hours to respond to the winning email, or a new winner will be chosen. You must leave your email address! This contest is open to the US

5. Enter another giveaway I have going on and tell me which one or leave a comment on a non-giveaway post
6. Visit Puppy Pie and tell me what else you like about them
7. Follow Puppy Pie on Twitter- mypuppypie- and leave a tweet
8. Grab the Pet Week Button and post on your blog or FB page

Congrats to Meryl for winning the Swaddle Babies Giveaway

Meryl said… CommentsCounter=CommentsCounter+1; document.write(CommentsCounter) 21

I’m a fan of swaddlebabbies on FB

August 28, 2009 10:59 PM

Congats to Mom Union for winning the Green Toys Tea Set

MomUnion said… CommentsCounter=CommentsCounter+1; document.write(CommentsCounter) 228

Best EcoToys Week button’s on sidebar: iblameitonthecat.blogspot.com

September 11, 2009 6:26 PM

Congrats to Keitha for winning the Kushies Boa Stacker

Keitha said… CommentsCounter=CommentsCounter+1; document.write(CommentsCounter) 156

I LOVE the Easy Fold Baby Bed

September 3, 2009 4:38 PM

Thanks to all that entered!!

Starting on Monday, Mkokopelli will be hosting a week of Eco-friendly pet giveaways! We have a household full of pets- 3 dogs, 4 cats, a gecko and fish. Yes, I’m the crazy pet lady.

Since Ella was born, all of our animals have been sort of neglected. Now, I don’t mean starved and not loved. But lets just say I don’t come home with toys and treats like I used to. So I wanted to dedicate a week to spoiling our first babies. I hope you and your pets enjoy!

This giveaway has ended. Thanks to all that entered!
After I took a pottery class in college I developed a whole new respect for potters. I had issues making just a simple bowl! After my experience, I started collecting handmade pottery. My aunt told me about Emerson Creek Pottery, which is in Bedford, VA, and I had to check them out.

Until now, I never thought about lead or other dangerous materials being in clays or dyes used in making pottery. After all of the recent China recalls, the chances are pretty high. Especially when you can pay $4 for a cup made in China or Mexico. They are known for cutting corners, so why would this be any different? The FDA hasn’t paid much attention to pottery and this really needs to change! Studies have found that older China and pottery, even big name brands, have started to leach lead making them unsafe for food. Lead can get into your food and beverages through cracks, corrosion, heating of the pottery, or high acidic content. So instead of taking chances, purchase your pottery housewares from companies that you know you can trust.

Emerson Creek Pottery has been making handmade, Eco-friendly, non-toxic pottery for 32 years. All of their pottery is made from all natural and earth friendly materials. The paints and clays are non-toxic and lead free. Even your pottery is packaged in cornstarch peanuts and recycled fiber boxes.

I was sent a Go Green Earthware Posie Pitcher to review and it is truly beautiful. I love the earthy tone and smoothness of the pottery. There is something about holding a handmade piece and feeling the textures and shape. The 8 oz. Pitcher is great for personal made drinks, syrups or to even put a flower in for your kitchen table.

Emerson Creek Pottery carries a variety of gorgeous plates, bowls, mugs, bakeware, kitchenware, bathroom accessories, teaware, servingware, vases, lamps, home decor and more! They have 14 different lines to choose from, all at affordable prices.

Discount: Use MK909 at the checkout for 10% off any purchase of $25 and over.

The Giveaway: Emerson Creek Pottery would like to offer 1 lucky winner a coffee or tea Mug of their choice!
The Rules: You have until 11:59 p.m. EST September 26, 2009 to enter. The winner will be chosen by random.org and announced after they respond to the winning email. The winner has 48 hours to respond to the winning email, or a new winner will be chosen. You must leave your email address! This contest is open to the US

How to Enter: Tell me which Mug you would pick from Emerson Creek Pottery and what line it is in. Click on “Comments” to leave your post. Make sure to leave your email address!! I cannot contact the winner without it!

EXTRA entries: You must complete the “How To Enter” before making any extra entries. Make sure you leave a comment for each extra entry and tell me which one.
2. Become a fan of Mkokopelli on FB, Mkokopelli on Twitter or Follow my blog 3. Subscribe to my blog by email (on the right sidebar)
4. Blog, Tweet or send a message on FB and leave a link here (3 extra entries)
5. Enter another giveaway I have going on and tell me which one or leave a comment on a non-giveaway post
6. Tell me another piece of pottery from Emerson Creek that you would love to have
7. Tell me something you learned on Emerson Creek Pottery or their Blog
8. Fly the Flag Button on your blog or FB page and link back

This giveaway has ended. Thanks to all that entered!
Want to find toys that will bring out the creative side in your child? Then you’ve got to check out Colorful Childhood Store! All of their products are made right here in the US or Canada and are sure to inspire your child’s imagination. You can find play houses, aprons, splashmats, step stools, dress up clothes, fun room decor and much more!

One of my favorites is the “Dream. Create. Play.” line which includes the Eco-friendly Paintable Toy Houses. This is an awesome alternative to plastic, particle board or fiberboard doll houses. Particle board and fiberboard are treated with a formaldehyde resin. Particles can be released into the air, especially with newer products. Formaldehyde is considered a human carcinogen and 99.9% of the chemical is contained within the particle board by the curing process. That’s a scary thought when majority of the doll houses and play houses are made with the boards. I love that there is a safe alternative with Colorful Childhood Store’s Play and Toy houses.

We were sent the Country Cottage Toy House, which quickly became the house for the “poor Indians” who lived in the tee pee. Yes, Ella has quite the imagination. You can choose between the Cottage House, Barn, School House or Fire House. The cool thing about the Toy House is that you get to paint it the way you want it!You are sent non-toxic watercolors to paint your 100% recycled material house. You can paint the inside and the outside of the house with the paint, crayons or markers. The board is sturdy and is built to last. The roof is detachable and easy to open and close for painting. The Cottage also has a front door which your child’s characters can go in and out. It also has windows and a fire place.
The Colorful Childhood Store also carries larger castles, play houses, rocket ships and more that your child can actually get into. Your child can also paint or color these for a personalized look. Isn’t that cute??The Discount: You can get $5 off any purchase at the Colorful Childhood Store by entering MOTHERS at the checkout… and shipping is ALWAYS free!

The Giveaway: Colorful Childhood Store is offering 1 lucky reader a Eco-friendly Country Cottage with non-toxic watercolors

The Rules: You have until 11:59 p.m. EST September 26, 2009 to enter. The winner will be chosen by random.org and announced after they respond to the winning email. The winner has 48 hours to respond to the winning email, or a new winner will be chosen. You must leave your email address! This contest is open to the US

6. Join the Colorful Childhood Store’s Mailing List
7. Tell me something you learned from the Colorful Childhood Store’s New Parenting Articles from the Experts
8. Fly the Flag Button on your blog or FB page and link back

This giveaway has ended. Thanks to all that entered
In honor of 9-11 I wanted to find Eco-friendly companies that carried USA made products. I came across Olive Barn and had to share them with you! Olive Barn is a Eco-friendly garden and home retailer located in Houston, TX. The owner, Jaqueline D’Elia started Olive Barn in 2000 and is the author of the Olive Barn Blog as well as the Southern Post.

Olive Barn carries amazing garden supplies that are truly unique. Check out these SeedBallz:
You just throw them in your garden, water them and watch them grow! No planting involved. I am the worlds worst gardener and as much as I love plants and herbs, I leave that up to my mom. But, I think I could actually grow something with the SeedBallz!

Olive Barn carries Rice Hull pots which are a great plastic alternative. I love the earthy colors. The pots are made from renewable grain husks and rice hulls and are 100% biodegradable. The pots have drain holes at the bottom for proper drainage, but I still managed to kill my herbs that I planted. I then handed over the pot to my mom and she was able to start growing some aloe for me. Those of you with a green thumb, check out the Organic Herb Garden from Olive Barn. You can choose from 18 different organic herbs to plant in your Rice Hull pot for only $10!

Another thing I loved from Olive Barn is the Danielson Designs 100% recycled wood signs that are made here in the US. I love hanging signs near my doors for people to read on their way in or out. These are the amazing signs I got to review!
They are 8 1/2 X 2 3/4″ and fit perfectly next to my backdoor. The sign comes with a wood peg inserted in the back so you can easily stand it on a table top, bookshelf or flat surface. You can also hang them in hallways, bathrooms, or even next to your bed for a morning inspirational quote. The signs are also available in 23X4″ Garden Signs. They have a huge selection with a variety of different quotes great for everyone.

The Discount: Olive Barn is offering all of my readers $10 off any purchase of $40 or more. Just enter MKOK-10 at the checkout until 9/30/09

The Giveaway: Win ANY instock sign $25 or under at the Olive Barn

Rules: You have until 11:59 p.m. EST September 26, 2009 to enter. The winner will be chosen by random.org and announced after they respond to the winning email. The winner has 48 hours to respond to the winning email, or a new winner will be chosen. You must leave your email address! This contest is open to the US

5. Enter another giveaway I have going on and tell me which one or leave a comment on a non-giveaway post
6. Tell me something else from Olive Barn that you like and sign up for their newsletter (2 entries)
7. Tell me something you learned from the Olive Barn Blog
8. Post the Flag button on your blog or FB page and tell me the link

Wow, it’s hard to believe that it’s been 8 years. I remember like it was yesterday, living in Wilmington, walking down my stairs to hear my mom hysterically crying, “America is under attack!” She muffled out what was going on and I ran upstairs to turn my TV on to see the North tower start to fall. I ran to wake up my roommate and we all sat in my living room, crying, comforting one another. We all felt truly vulnerable for the first time. It was like the safety blanket that had been protecting America all of our lives had been ripped off. I remember going to school that evening, amazed that classes hadn’t been canceled. We all spoke about what had happened and wrote a poem about our feelings, then class was dismissed. (I majored in Creative Writing)

I drove home to Charlotte that night and it was the most eerie feeling in the world not seeing planes flying above. The next day we drove to the Charlotte airport to see hundreds of planes parked… it was a spooky feeling I don’t think I’ll ever forget.

Then everyone in America united. No differences mattered, we all were one nation. Flags were flown. Stickers were on everyone’s cars. People truly came together for the first time in my life. Now, 8 years later, it’s almost like it never happened. That unity has been divided and people have forgotten what makes America so important. 2,993 people died that day. Fathers, mothers, children, sons and daughters. Please fly your flags high today in honor of their memory and the terrible tragedy that struck America. This is something we should never forget.

Throughout the day I will post some great giveaways and reviews of companies who make their products in the USA.

41% of those who participated in the poll said to leave the background as it is. For those who would like a change, don’t worry- I’m sure I’ll get into the mood to change things up a bit in the future. I do get tired of looking at the same things all of the time… so I’m sure it won’t be too long. 😉 Thanks for all of your input!

Votes so far: 34
Poll closed