In the last weeks we’ve also had very thoughtful post and packages from Dorthe in Holland (who sent Thor his very first package addressed to himself – loved that), Fam. Østergaard in Roslev, Helle & Preben in Sønderborg, Angela in Toronto and Behnaz in Vancouver. You could say it’s been a very good post month.

Bedding
1. My initial wish was to purchase the Kili bed (a reproduction of the original Lille Per bed but updated slightly to comply with current safety standards). We were gifted a Lille Per bed by Jan’s parents though (a restored 60 year old original) and we love it.

2. Wildlife quilt covers from by nord Copenhagen. Comes in a few variations (incl. the deer version as seen left). I couldn’t resist the oh so Canadian grizzly bear (there’s a definite animal theme taking shape in this space). They only come in junior (and adult) sizes however, so it’ll be a little while yet before we bring this guy into use. In the meantime Thor’s got his moose from Urban Elk in Nørrebro.

Storage
3. Cell shelving from Bolia.dk. We lucked out (in that my to-do list before Thor came was that long and this was one of the few things I didn’t get to) and they ended up going on sale for a handsome 50% off for a handfull of days last month. We just picked them up this week together with a small dresser from the same line. You know what else this means? That’s right, I get to use my heavy-duty power drill to mount them to the wall. Yes!

Art & cuddly things
4. I couldn’t resist these graphic prints from Frankie magazine‘s 2012 calendar (ordered from Australia). Polar bear design by Nancy Mungcal and fox design by Donna Wiloon. There are works by Elisabeth Dunker of Fine Little Day included as well as some other great pieces – so there’s plenty to rotate with.

5. Owl by Franck and Fischer of Denmark. Ok I admit that I probably love this creature more than Thor will, but I am willing to share. They’re available at Louisiana Art Gallery or online.

We’ve had quite a lot of visits from friends and family now that I count them up – and here I’d thought we’d be more cut off. There are a lot of things that aren’t like I’d thought they’d be. I also thought I’d crave a babysitter. Now I can’t imagine letting anyone else take care of Thor. No one else knows him like we do and well.. I don’t want to miss out on anything.

In Denmark the public health department arranges a mother’s group for you with five other women living close by who’ve had a baby around the same time you have so that you can meet up once a week to drink coffee, compare notes and offer/receive a bit of support with the million questions, feelings and challenges that come with all this change. It’s ideal. So far our group’s met once and agreed to add fitness activity to our meet-ups: at the gym or for some kind of swimming. Even more ideal.

The pace overall is slowed way down (which is so not me), my to-do list is horribly neglected and my hair probably needs a wash. And I’m smiling.

We can’t get over how lucky we’ve been – what with everything leading up to Thor’s birth – we’ve been blessed with this little person: so lovely and healthy and absolutely gorgeous (as his parents we are allowed to think he is the most beautiful thing ever). We’ll no doubt have stared ourselves blind by month’s end. The first week has flown by incredibly quickly, despite savouring every single second of our days so far as parents. We just can’t get enough of him. Also thinking that a Star Trek transporter would be just the thing right now to reduce the distance between Copenhagen and Vancouver so that we could introduce him properly to grandparents and aunts back home. In the meantime – thank goodness for Skype.

Had a quick visit from Jen (a dear close friend from our university years together at SFU) a couple of days after we checked out of the hospital – great timing with her conference in Malmö. The woman is everything I love about Canada: open, smart, grounded and true. And a little bit cooky in the very best way. So fantastic to see you Jen. We’ll definitely be visiting you in Newfoundland – our hiking boots on and little Thor strapped to our backs ready to go.

And thank you to everyone who’ve wished us good luck in the days leading up to Thor’s birth, and to those who’ve wished us well afterwards. Your positive thoughts have meant a lot.

It was just the two of us this year but somehow we managed to pull it off: the entire dinner (with only two near disasters) the dessert, the almond prize (50/50 odds this year were in Jan’s favour), the twinkly lights and heaps of Christmas cozy. Yay for Skype and a good long chat with family back home – really missed them this year. Just a few short days now to recollect and get ready to welcome the great big gift to come. Keep everything crossed..

Recent website/blog favourites:
Fuck You Very Much: www.fuckyouverymuch.dk
Nowness – Daily exclusives for you to love: www.nowness.com (absolutely magic short films)
Dornob – Design Ideas Daily: www.dornob.com
Danish Design Blog: blog.danishdesignstore.com

Books waiting patiently on my Amazon wish list: you’ll be home soon my precious(es)
Plenty – Yotam Ottolenghi
(because everyone can use more vegetarian cook books and this one comes highly recommended)
River Cottage Veg Every Day – Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall
God is Not Great: How Religion Poisons Everything - Christopher Hitchens

For thought:
“For every minute you are angry, you lose 60 seconds of happiness.” - Ralph Waldo Emmerson
“A mind is like a parachute. It does not work if it does not open.” - Frank Zappa

Compiled below are some of my favourite alternatives – each of which avoid most or all 12 of the “dirty dozen” chemicals commonly found in cosmetics today.

Anyone with a heads up about other options and/or your own safe(r) favourites – I’d love to hear about them in the comments.

  1. John Masters Organics  – Unscented Shampoo / Citrus & Neroli Detangler (the most amazing hair products ever and admittedly a splurge when I buy them): Made with 17 certified-organic ingredients.
2. SAVE Nourishing Shampoo. 99% of the total ingredients are from natural origin. 14 % of the total ingredients are from organic farming.
3. Dr. Bronner’s Magic Pure Castile Classic Soaps (a long time favourite that I stock up on whenever I’m back in Canada): completely biodegradable and vegetable based. Made with Certified Fair Trade and Organic Oils. The text plastered all over the bottle makes for some rather interesting reading while you’re in the bath as well.
4. Urtekram Toothpaste (I’m not crazy about the chalkiness but being flouride free – I’ll choose this over Colgate any day). Does not contain SLS/SLES or foam ingredients that can be harmful according to ‘the list’.
5. Dr. Scheller 24hr Moisturizing Body Milk (addicted to this cream): Dr. Scheller products bear the NaTrue seal for natural cosmetics: fulfilling the highest ethical and ecological requirements.
6. Estelle & Thild Ecorganic Face Cream (also available in fragrance free): Swedish Organic Skin Care. Free from Parabens, mineral oils, sodium laurel/laureth sulphate (SLS), perfume, propylene glycol, silicone, urea, diethanolamine (DEA), triethanolamine (TEA), synthetic emulsifiers (e.g. polyethylene glycol or PEG), dyes.
7. Dr. Scheller Pomegranite Face Toner
8. Urtekram No Perfume Liquid Hand Soap: 100% of the the ingredients are of natural origin. 10% of the ingredients are derived from Organic Agriculture.
9. Weleda Deodorant (this one holds up to a good workout): super fresh smell of organic sage and tea tree leaf oil. With no risky antiperspirants such as aluminum salts, your body’s natural detoxification process is supported while bacteria that cause unpleasant odors are neutralized. The citrus version is great too.
10. LUSH Natural Aluminum Free Deodorants (I love love love Aromaco and stock up whenever I’m in a country with a local LUSH shop): Microfine sodium bicarbonate, magnesium carbonate and lovely fragrances combat unfriendly smells, without using unhealthy aluminums.
11. Maison Belle cleaning products (do not fall under the category of cosmetics but their frequent use at home warrant mention here): Maison Belle’s effective and non-toxic household cleaners can be used on stoves, sinks, tiles, floors, fridges and cabinets. Scented with essential oils. Their Orange and Rosemary Kitchen cleaner is fantastic and (almost) makes me want to clean every day.

 12. Mama Mio Tummy Rub Stretch Mark Oil (I LOVE this oil with its high levels of Omega 3, 6 and 9 – and at 9 months pregnant, can happily attest to it’s effectiveness in combatting stretch marks in any way shape or form): Every Mama Mio product is paraben free, petroleum free, phthalates free, sodium laureth and sodium lauryl sulphate free, colourant free, synthetic fragrance free and xenoestrogen free. If it is nasty, it is a no-no. Even their fragrances are natural. They also have an impressive variety of face creams, moisturizers and serums that are worth checking out.
13. Burt’s Bees Baby Bee Nourishing Oil: uses sweet almond oil instead of mineral oil (which is a petro chemical with potential human health risks and unfortunately often used in baby products). 100% natural preservatives instead of parabens.
14. Burt’s Bees Baby Bee Shampoo & Wash: all-in-one, tear-free wash combines a natural plant-based cleansing complex with sweet orange and lemon oils instead of chemicals.
15. Burt’s Bees Tinted Lip Balm (another one I’ve been addicted to for years):  100% natural and a great source of (super) moisturizing colour in the face of dry nordic winter weather. I couldn’t do without it and probably have about 5 floating around.
16. Nilens Jord Mascara: paraben and perfume free, this mascara was a great find after trying (and hating) Dr. Hauschka’s mascara – which left me looking like a raccoon after a short bike ride in foggy weather or the slightest misty-eye moment.
17. Nilens Jord Eye Shadow: also paraben and perfume free, made with 100% natural minerals. Again – beat out Dr. Hauschka’s.
18. Bare Minerals Blush (one container lasts ages): Free from parabens, sulfates, synthetic fragrances, sythetic dyes, petro-chemicals or phalates.

{Just came across a new danish make-up line called Organiqs. Haven’t tried it yet, but their principles sound sensible so I’ll have a closer look and might give it a go when it’s time to restock}

Articles, Blogs and Other Resources:

Campaign for Safe Cosmetics [Website] – or follow on Facebook
David Suzuki’s Queen of Green [Website] – or follow her on Facebook
The Good Guide [Website]
Safe Cosmetic Brands Uncovered [Article]
Bloomberg: The Ten Most Toxic Cosmetics [Article]
Hair dyes: how to reduce your toxic exposure [Article]

In the hood. Coveting the city neighbourhood posters from Ork, the Vancouver version especially: Kitsilano, Mount Pleasant, Yaletown, Stanley Park – but wait – where’s South Granville? Photo credit Ork Posters

Fresh ideas: A Garden in My Apartment (TED) Check out Britta Riley’s R & D-I-Y project: window farms & open source innovation.

For thought:
“You can have everything in life you want if you will just help enough other people get what they want.”
- Zig Ziglar
“You can’t do things that matter if you keep doing things that don’t.”
- Courtney Carver

Regrets of the dying: When questioned about any regrets they had or anything they would do differently, common themes surfaced again and again. Read Bonnie Ware’s article outlining the top 5

The making of Hero: an image composed entirely out of 3.2 million ink dots – Hero on Vimeo (video)

Free eBook from UpCycled Love - On Change: Stories from 25 inspiring bloggers