I ran across this site on Twitter not too long ago and instantly fell in love. It was a combination of everything I desire in baby gear – modern, unique, cool, many eco-friendly options. It was like Esther (founder of BuyModernBaby.com) was inside my mind, putting up every last baby item that makes me go “ooooooh!” Her blog is full of fabulous picks and so I asked her to put something together for y’all. Enjoy!

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I had the hardest time finding the perfect crib bedding set when I was first expecting. My modern aesthetic was scarcely represented in the marketplace and I went to store after store trying to describe the type of thing I was looking for to salespeople who looked at me as if I were coming from another planet. No ruffles at all? It can’t be pink or blue? No vehicles or characters whatsoever? Thankfully I found what I was looking for online and was able to complete the vision for my nursery without compromise.

As is the case with many new mothers, once I saw my perfect, pure and precious little boy, I became increasingly committed to green, organic and eco-friendly choices. I want to protect him from harmful chemicals and additives to help keep him, and the world he lives in, healthy and safe. With this perspective, if I had to do things all over again, I would have looked for an organic mattress and organic crib bedding as well. You can imagine how much harder that might have been… to find something that looked great AND was organic!

Well, the choices for modern and organic bedding have multiplied over the past few years. If you’re looking for great looking bedding that you can feel good about, here’s what I recommend:

1) Amenity Home

Amenity Home has a beautiful line of nursery linens. Get the crib package, which includes sheet, bumper insert and cover and a large blanket with your choice of design for $356. Extra sheets are $40 and the crib skirt is $60.

2) Argington

Argington has three sets of organic crib bedding available. Choose the Dinosaur Set, Fish and Pebbles Set or Hearts and Flowers Set. These retail for $185 and include a comforter, bumper, sheet and crib skirt.

3) Serena and Lily

Serena and Lily currently have three organic collections– Hazel, Maggie and Rye. The sets include a sheet, bumper and skirt for $389.

4) Cotton Monkey

Cotton Monkey have nine collections of organic cotton bedding so make sure to check their website to see them all. They sell all the pieces separately, which is perfect for those who do not want to use a bumper. Sheets are $49, blankets are $72, crib skirts retail for $194 and the bumpers with a cover are $299.

5) Q Collection Junior

Q Collection Junior’s Crib sets are called Celestial Parade and retail for $395. The set is available in Roxy (pink) or Sky (blue) and includes a reversible bumper, reversible crib skirt, and two solid sheets. They also sell coordinating patterned sheets.

6) Dwell Studios

Dwell Studios has two sets of organic crib bedding in a natural color. My favorite is Poppy Blossom and the other is Circles. Both retail for $450.

7) Egg by Susan Lazar

There are four bedding sets from Egg by Susan Lazar. These sets include sheet, bumper, comforter and crib skirt and retail for $395. Choose Chick (also available in pink), Abstract, or Animal Parade.

Did you read my Spring Fashion Guide?

Remember this post about my (and baby’s) new favorite pants? Well, the lovelies at Best Baby Organics are giving Hurried Homemaker readers a special discount and they’re giving a pair of monkey pants away to one of you!

Best Baby Organics is a family-owned, eco-conscious, customer-friendly company – the kind I LOVE (and I’m sure you do too)! They have a ton of great affordable, eco-friendly products for you and your little one.

SPECIAL SAVINGS:

Save 10% on anything with code “hhmpromo”

All orders over $35 will ship for FREE

THE GIVEAWAY:

We are giving away a pair of monkey pants for one of our readers, thanks to Best Baby Organics.

Giveaway ends April 12, 2010 at 10:00 pm (EST). Winner will be chosen by random.org. Winner will have 48 hours to respond before another winner is chosen. Good luck!

MANDATORY ENTRY:

Go to Best Baby Organics and leave a comment telling me what your favorite pair of Monkey Pants is and your little one’s size. Be sure to enter your email address where requested.

ADDITIONAL ENTRIES (leave a comment for each):

• Follow me on Google FriendConnect – 1 extra entry
• Subscribe to the Hurried Homemaker blog via email or reader – 1 extra entry
• Fan Best Baby Organics on Facebook
• Follow the Best Baby Organics Blog
• Subscribe to Best Baby Organics Newsletter
• Click on the “Top Mommy Blog” icon on the sidebar to vote for HH – 1 extra entry
• Grab our button (left sidebar) for your blog/site – 3 extra entries
• Blog about this giveaway. (Be sure to include links to HH & Best Baby Organics) – 3 extra entries
• Follow @hurriedhomemakr and @bestbabyorganic on Twitter and tweet about this contest (must @mention both) – 1 extra entry (Tweet once per day, must have over 50 followers.)

Hurried Homemaker was not compensated for this post in any way. We did recieve product for our review post, but that has no impact on our opinion of this product.

Update:

Every mom needs a fabulous diaper bag … you know, the kind that you’ll want to carry after you don’t need it anymore. Look no further than baby star diaper bags. These folks weren’t joking when they named this perfect bag “Rock the Tote”!

I personally love the kaleidoscope bag, but the silver is to-die-for! Forget these just being your new spring bag – you could rock this tote all year long (pun intended). And this is one of the most affordable diaper bags at only $60. Want to know what’s even cooler? This shop – maker of responsible, sustainable, and safe products – was started by a husband a wife after the birth of their first child (they now have 3). I love that!

Use code STAR20 for 20% off

Hurried Homemaker was not compensated for this review, however Baby Star is an affiliate partner.

Spring weather is so nice compared the dull, cold days of winter, but it has its own share of cool days. What’s a spring wardrobe without a simple cotton jacket? Even better if it is made from organic cotton!

This Organic Cotton Cardigan is the perfect quickie jacket for weekends or runs to the school. Made by the eco-conscious, fair-/humane-laboring, customer-friendly company, hessnatur. This cardigan is soft and the perfect weight for spring! It comes in 3 colors: terracotta, bordeaux, and putty. I love the natural putty color, and even better – it is only $48 (the other colors are $75). Not only can you save by choosing the putty, but enter: M1U001 and enjoy free shipping and returns on your first order.

Hurried Homemaker was not compensated for this review, however Hessnatur is an affiliate partner.

Every mom, working outside the home or in, needs a fabulous piece that can transition from jeans to dress. Enter Michael Stars. I have been in love with this brand of v-neck shirt since before I became a mom. Now, it makes even more sense for me to be a raving fan!

Michael Stars Shine Short Sleeve Crossover Vee Neck has become my favorite go-to shirt. I became a fan of this particular shirt while I was pregnant with lil’bit, and I wear it still today. Yes, I wear it now – it did not stretch out! This shirt is adorable with jeans, but you can pair it with a black trouser and be ready for a dinner out, too.

The “shine” in this shirt is slight. Matter of fact, you may not even notice it when paired with denim. But the moment you add it to your evening wardrobe, you see just how fabulous this shirt really is! If you’re anything like me, you may not have a ton of time to get ready for an impromptu dinner with the hub and his colleagues. A little deodorant and a fresh application of makeup … remove sweats or jeans, add black trousers and high heels, put on jewelry, brush hair,  and add handbag and you are good to go!

I mentioned that I wore this shirt while pregnant, but there is also the Michael Stars Maternity Elbow Sleeve Deep Vee, which is pretty dang awesome for pregos! Either way, they are sure to have a little something that you will enjoy adding to your wardrobe.

Hurried Homemaker was not compensated for this review, however Michael Stars is an affiliate partner.

Springtime is the perfect time for a loose, comfy pant for your little one. Whether they’re crawling or running, you will love these perfect little smooth cotton (formaldehyde-free!) pants for your babe.

The Japanese Monkey Pants from Best Baby Organics are one of the cutest ways I can think of to cover your tot’s tush! These little smiley-bum pants are perfect for play! We pair ours with a simple white organic cotton tee and some cute shoes and get so many “Oh how adorable!” comments. (Of course that could be just about the babe …)

Lil’bit perks up when I say, “Let’s put on our happy bum pants!” She loves to run to the mirror and look over her shoulder at the smiley face across her adorable little tush! As you know, we are big fans/users of the gDiaper, which is a bulkier diaper. The Monkey Pants have plenty of room in the rear, whereas many other pants are snug over them (unless you go up a size).

The Monkey Pants come in a great variety of colors/color-combinations as well as 4-piece sets.

Best Baby Organics provided a pair of Monkey Pants for lil’bit to try our in order for the Hurried Homemaker to do a review. This in no way affected our opinion of this product.