happenings around the web.

For every pair of See Kai Run shoes purchased during the month of June, See Kai Run will match it with a donation to a child in need. It's a win-win, you get an amazing pair of shoes, and feel good knowing you're helping someone in need. Learn more here.

Twilite moon is giving away $2500 worth of prizes during the month of May. Enter here.

Baby Legs is launching their Sew Golden promotion running June 1 - June 15th. Purchase any pair of Sew Golden baby legs from participating retailers and you'll have a chance to win one of multiple incredible packages. It's a little like Willy Wonka and the golden ticket. Lists of prizes and retailers are available.

one pack=one vaccine.

This (click) is an incredible video with a needed mission and message.

The “One Pack = One Vaccine” is an international initiative "to protect women and babies from preventable disease. The campaign, which began two years ago in the UK and expanded in 2007 to other countries in Western Europe and Japan, has helped provide UNICEF with funding for more than 25 million lifesaving tetanus vaccines."

Simply buy one marked package of Pampers (through August 31st) and the price of one tetanus vaccination (5 cents!) will automatically be donated for UNICEF to distribute to women in the developing world.

5 cents or one packet of Pampers will save a life. We can put an end to preventable suffering. Learn more here.

a good cause.

We've talked about tiny sprouts before, and you know we love them. Today they are donating 100% of sales to March of Dimes.

"This will be tiny sprouts 2nd annual walk to donate money for research for premature births and infant deaths. Last year we raised almost $2800 and this year we hope to beat it! this cause is close to my heart as my niece died on January 9th, 2007. We raise money in honor of her and in hopes of finding a cause for infant mortality." -Tracey Hageman, owner

If you've been thinking about ordering from tiny sprouts, what better day than today, when you know your money will be going towards a good cause! Here's hoping tiny sprouts meets and exceeds their goals for this years walk.

kid friendly.

Teaching your kids about the environment can be a great way to help in the "green" effort. Find out what their school is doing, involve them in community efforts and include them at home. A brilliant kid friendly resource www.kidsplanet.org.

photo via eco-me

The 3 R's.

We've all heard of the 3 R's. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. This month Parenting magazine featured in their smart solution: 3 easy ways to make your home greener.

Reduce: Put your kid on "green duty." He can close open fridge doors, shut off the TV that no one's watching, and turn off dripping faucets. You'll save electricity, water, and money - and he'll love having an important job.

Reuse: Get creative with arts and crafts. Toss catalogs, junk mail and other "art supplies" -from candy wrappers to bottle caps - into a box. You'll be amazed what your kid can make (a 3-D truck picture, perhaps?).

Recycle: Look beyond soda bottles. Many recycling centers accept sippy cups and baby bottles. To see if one near you does, enter your zip code and the recycling numbers on the bottoms at

earth911.org.

green pop.

Poppy Talk's brilliant online street market has gone green for March 10-April 11th. For the best of both worlds- green and handmade-- visit here. I'm loving...

1. ecojot
2. showpony
3. sofia masri

green party tips.

I love to throw a great party. I love the planning, the decorating, the hosting, designing the invitation and finding brilliant party favors. Even talking about it makes me excited to plan the next one. While planning a recent get together I came across green party tips at [the nest]. Some of my favorites:

1. Evites are a must
Skip the pretty paper cards and save a tree or two. We know you love wowing your friends with your invitation creations, but you'll amaze them when they arrive, we promise! Plus the Evite has a great way for you to still be clever with your post. We love uploading funny pictures and choosing pretty designs that even the pickiest guest will love. And be sure to get creative with the reply categories.
2. Use the stuff you've got
You know those dishes, glasses, and place settings you put on your registry but still haven't taken out of the cabinet? Now is the time to bring them out. You'll have to do a little extra cleanup at the end of the night, but isn't reversing global warming worth an extra few minutes?

You can view the entire list of green party tips here.

image via grassroots modern

hope for change.

I celebrate any man or woman who has fought for peace and unity and hope. Martin Luther King Jr., among many, many others, have changed our world.

In light of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, I watched one of my favorite films for the umpteenth time a couple of nights ago.

It always moves my soul to action. Here's to choosing to improve our world however we know and can.



Enjoy today. We'll be back tomorrow.

free rice.

If you've been looking for a way to fight world hunger, but aren't sure how to get started, we've got your answer. My sister introduced us to this fun and addicting way to help those in need.


Even if you're not looking to fight world hunger, you can cure boredom and improve your vocabulary. Here's how it works:

For every vocabulary word you get right, they donate 20 grains of rice. In no time at all you will have fed an entire family. So let's get playing. Visit www.freerice.com and help end world hunger.

casting call...

Maybe you're a mother. Maybe you love to write, and you equally love modern, simple, pretty and organic {think: tangled and true style}. Maybe you're in the know when it comes to fantastic {but not overplayed} music, gourmet recipes, the newest of {modern} baby products or the latest news/events in the world of anything woman. Maybe you're an avid reader and are dying to share the best novel ever. Or a crafter with truly amazing ideas. Maybe you're a fashionista and know just where to find the perfect pair of flats or stud earrings. And maybe you're hoping for a project that will bring you back to what you've always loved: telling stories, sharing what makes you happy and healthy and connecting with a world of women and mothers outside of your usual group of friends.

Anything ring true? Would you be excited about exposure and creativity and reason enough to buy some really lovely file folders just because you're nearly a professional? I hope so. Because Tangled and True (well, me- I) am ready to launch an experiment. A call for some new Tangled and True voices; a week or so of posting your posts/ideas/genius-ness. And if all goes well for both of us, maybe I won't want to fend without you and {via a friendly invitation}... you'll choose to stay around.

Here's the deal: if you truly do subscribe to what Tangled and True is {let's say you answered yes three times- namely to being a mother, loving to write and one or two others..}, and you would be serious about wanting to eventually become a permanent part of the blog:
*send in a short bio {including how you think you can compliment t&t} and
*at least one sample post; a typical post that I can in turn publish for all to read and enjoy.
[I would love to accept more than one post per person and there is no guarantee that your sample post will in fact be published {although I do hope to feature each one I receive!}. Oh, and please choose something that hasn't yet been posted on this blog.]
*any questions you have for me that are not answered below.
[Put read me in the subject line for all submissions.]

FAQ:
[note: these aren't legitimate frequently asked questions because this idea is new and therefor I haven't yet received any questions at all...]
do I qualify? Probably. It doesn't matter where you live or how long you've been a mother or how well you make meatloaf. You'll know if you fit.
what's in this for me? Let's be honest. You're either a blogger or you're not. I do it because I love the outlet, the creativity, the freedom of expression, sharing what I love, meeting you- my readers, and supporting company owners and artists. Product reviews are of course a fun incentive.
will I be paid? I am not paid for writing, so I have nothing to share with you. But.. maybe with a bit of inspiration, that will change. And whatever project we share that turns profitable, we will share in profit.
if I become a t&t regular, how often will I post? This will all depend on how many contributors my experiment will turn up and how specialized your posts are. For example, if you choose to highlight worthy reads, I wouldn't ask you to come up with a new novel daily. I'm all for flexibility. [Ultimately, I try for at least 2-3 new posts/day in total.]
...will I have any responsibilities aside from daily posts? Product reviews, giveaways, virtual baby showers, returning emails, initiating contacts and daily posts {among others} are all a necessary part of making this blog a success. Initially, {daily} posts will be your only responsibility. After we've established your commitment, etc., and you're hoping for more, I would love to pass along products to review, giveaways to write and additional projects to create and execute.
why are you doing this? I love change. What better way to refresh a good thing? And sure.. maybe I'm getting a little lonely.

Hope to hear from you...
-Kelli

photo via Real Simple online.

the cradle.

If you're an expecting or new parent, bookmark this one: The Cradle {just launched in beta on Friday!} is a lifestyle destination with a "fresh approach to planning and preparing for a new (or growing) family." It offers a social networking community, pregnancy progress tracker, product showcases and giveaways, customizable web page options, as well as fresh and trusted content organized by stage and topic and written by a team of incredible parents and experts.

Maybe you're curious if the combo c-section/tummy tuck truly exists or need help{!} with choosing a baby name, are in the market for a stroller... but don't know where to begin, or are searching for tips about throwing an eco-baby shower; whatever your search, The Cradle is your all-in-one resource.

In celebration of their brand new launch, the giveaway to be noted is happening now! From a Svan wooden highchair to a Bugaboo Bee stroller or Boon silver baby bracelet, the prizes are all fantastic and free.

Be sure to explore the site, become a member, and offer any of your in-the-know feedback. Enjoy! {And... what do you think?}

presenting...

I was inspired by this handmade pledge for the upcoming holiday season. It's encouraging to see the buttons pasted throughout the blog-o-sphere, knowing that people really are trying to be good to people as well as the environment. In the words of the creators of buyhandmade{dot}org,

"The giver of handmade gifts has avoided the parking lots and long lines of the big chain stores in favor of something more meaningful. If the giver has purchased the gift, s/he feels the satisfaction of supporting an artist or crafter directly. The recipient of the handmade gift receives something that is one-of-a-kind, and made with care and attention that can be seen and touched. It is the result of skill and craftsmanship that is absent in the world of large-scale manufacturing."

I like this idea. But in my own search for all things quality handmade {which I mark refreshing and positively lovely}, I have found myself a bit exhausted. From this came my idea to make doing good easy. I'm excited to launch Tangled and True's first handmade fair: the modern, simple, pretty and organic of handmade... all in one place. {Shopping for the best sans lines, strollers, or endless browsing. Tangled and True style.}

Be sure to have a look. Browse the virtual storefronts of the companies that only carry the best, many of which are offering holiday discounts to you, the lovely Tangled and True readers. Maybe you're in a hurry? or on a mission? To make it even easier, all companies are organized according to category in the sidebar. {Head straight to "bedding" and ta da- mission accomplished.}

We're starting small, but rest assured that each company holds to Tangled and True's style and standard {quality and cool}. And every company owner is someone I'm thrilled to support. Enjoy the fair. And cheers to the handmade holidays!

-kelli and lindsey (my lovely sister)

for the utahns:

{beehive bazaar}

I'm hoping to make it tonight! I'm all for handmade holidays (and getting out of the house for a little bit tonight..). I'll be the one blowing my nose every 4 minutes. Sigh.

little monster market {take 2}.

If you've taken the handmade pledge for the holidays.. or if you simply appreciate the quality and artistic charm of cool handmade baby and kid gear, listen here: Kiersten of Mod Mom Furniture and Denise Love of Eeny Meanie are bringing you a take two of the incredible Little Monster Market. I so wish that there was such a thing closer to Park City... but alas, those in the LA area in December are lucky. Fantastic vendors, food and hip parents and artists will all be gathering in once place on both December 1st and 8th. See here for more details. But do know that 2 of my favorite new collections-

sok-o and precious few

-will be featuring their brilliant products. 3 cheers to these lovely {+ genius} ladies!

handmade.

This is neat. A pledge to buy handmade.. just in time for the Holidays. I really love this idea and it got me thinking: it's a craft {very generally speaking} that's loosing it's appeal. Please share your favorite handmade resources!

On the top of my list? bla bla kids. I've been eying the whale-boy elephant mobile for ages...

again nyc

Check out these bags. Made from "rescued and repurposed materials [junk] and transformed into stylish accessories for modern life [funk]." The entire company is applaud-worthy. Every bag is a "limited edition" made in the USA and a portion of the profits go to environmental charities. Hip, hip for being both style-minded and eco-conscious!

See the entire shop here.

Thanks for the tip Lindsey!

pink bag.

I'd love to get this bag {in pink} and wear it proudly as a stance for breast cancer awareness. I could probably talk a lot on this subject, but I'll leave that to another post {or another blog!}.

J.Crew $235

biome 5

Biome 5 toddler t-shirts are made with 100% certified organic cotton and made in sweatshop-free environments in the USA. They are tagless and preshrunk.

It's called the Alphabet Project. Biome 5 is a fashion company with the sole interest of our children in mind. Named after the Earth's 5 biomes {desert, grasslands, aquatics, forests, and tundra} they create t-shirts with large letters, numbers and names of animals to foster our children's knowledge of the world around them. When your child looks down, the letter and name of the animal is clearly readable from their vantage point.

I like them. I'm all about my daughter knowing her plants and animals.

Free shipping too {via the website}!

carry-all.

Meet the Collapsible Basket. I know I've posted repeatedly about reusable grocery bags, but this one really is my new favorite. Use it for when you forgot to buy those last few ingredients on your last market trip (ie: vanilla for the cookies or the pesto for the pasta and/or whole milk for your toddler (!), all things I did just last week).

It's got a lightweight aluminum frame and a super cushiony handle. Built to hold up to 55 pounds. Double it up as a picnic basket and bask in the seasonal change from summer to fall. My favorite part is the variety of prints and colors it comes in!.

$30 at Garnet Hill

recall

I know I'm not the first to report about Mattel's recall on over 436,000 products yesterday. The reason? An "impermissible amount of lead" used in products made between May and July of this year. This is the second major recall for Mattell within a short amount of time {one month}. Yowzers.

This is unnerving to me as a parent. My daughter inevitably puts everything in her mouth and if it were a Cars toy car, I wouldn't think twice about it. And now I might need to.

I know there is a forward going around cyberspace right now. If you have received it, you know what I'm talking about. A few parts:

- We survived being born to mothers who smoked and/or drank while they were pregnant.
- They took aspirin, ate blue cheese dressing, tuna from a can, and didn’t get tested for diabetes.
- We were put to sleep on our tummies in baby cribs covered with bright colored lead-based paints.
etc...

Get the point? I do. Part of me agrees too. But, the other part of me screams otherwise. I'll do anything to keep my daughter safe. And if that means not purchasing plastic cars at toy stores, then I won't. There is enough going on (and sure to be more) that I can't control and I'm well aware of that. So why not do what I can? Choose lead-free and eco-friendly paint, buy as much organic milk as my budget will allow (we addressed that here), and not have tuna more than twice a week while I'm pregnant. Just in case.

Like anything else it is a fine line. And while I don't mind giving my daughter Kool-Aid, other parents might frown on it. And who am I to shake my head and tsk, tsk at them? I won't. I love this post earlier on in our blog's history.

Read more about the recall here.


[photo from http://www.nytimes.com/]