Have a Cora Carolina Holiday...

Get Gifted

Receive a free Envirosax reusable bag with a $150 purchase.

We will choose an envirosax bag randomly from our stock and sent together with the product that you bought from us

Should an order be cancelled, the customer must return this free gift along with the unit, or the value will be deducted from the refund.

Void where prohibited.

Gifts are not transferable and no cash alternative or gift substitution is available 

and that the Sponsor reserves the right to substitute cash or a similar gift of equal or greater value should the gift be generally unavailable.  

Participants may not request gift substitution

Offer subject to adjustment due to returns, cancellations and exchanges. Not valid on clearance merchandise or previous purchases

U.S. Residents only

Offer ends December 15, 2010

Art Supplies for the Cool Kids

Our Art Section is looking pretty good these days! I had to highlight a few special favorites— Eco-Kids Eco-Dough Tube Regular, Eco-dough is a molding dough handmade with all natural ingredients including flour, salt, cream of tartar, organic rosemary oil, vitamin E oil, soybean oil, coconut oil, potassium sorbate, citric acid, natural and organic fruit, plant and vegetable extracts from beets, spinach, paprika, carrots, purple sweet potato, red cabbage, blueberries and tomatoes.Even the packaging tube is made from post consumer waste and the containers inside are made from cornstarch and 100% compostable.

Glob Natural Paint Colors, Botanically crafted colors made from fruits, vegetables, flowers and spices for use in crafts and DIY (do-it-yourself) projects.
Paints are water-based and pigments are biodegradable.
Check out more cool art supplies here!
Eco Dough tube $20. Glob Natural Paint $12

Giving Thanks

Thanksgiving is a time for celebration and family gathering all over the country.  Many people have different ways of celebrating the Thanksgiving holidays and there are many family tradition built around this family day.

In order to fully understand the Thanksgiving holiday, there has to be some understanding of what the significance of the day is and why we celebrate it.  There are many teachings in school about Thanksgiving.  In the United States Thanksgiving has a religious history as a day to take the time out to give thanks to God for all of the blessings the family has received.  Today the Thanksgiving celebration is considered a secular one.

One of the biggest and most important traditions for Thanksgiving is the food.  Thanksgiving dinner usually rotates between the homes of family members.  The hosting family will usually do most of the cooking with the visiting family members bringing their signature dishes.

Some of the most common dishes to be served at a Thanksgiving dinner are turkey, ham, dressing, macaroni and cheese, sweet potatoes and cranberry sauce.  These are just the staple dishes, there are many other dishes that are served and the dishes may vary between families.  There are also usually many different desserts to choose from.  Cooking of this big mean usually begins a couple of days before the event.

Another American Thanksgiving tradition is watching football after or even during the big meal.  It is usually the men in the family will be in one part of the house watching the football games while the women talk and catch up in another part of the hosting home.

Thanksgiving is sometimes one of the only times during the year that the whole family will congregate together and so this tends to be a favorite holiday and truly worthy of a big celebration.

...on their way

Cora Carolina joined Miss Massachusetts 2010 Loren Galler Rabinowitz to benefit the Children’s Miracle Network.

Children's Miracle Network is a nonprofit organization that raises money for more than 170 children's hospitals. Countless individuals, 90 organizations and 400 media partners unite with Children's Miracle Network hospitals to help sick and injured kids. Donations to Children's Miracle Network create miracles by funding medical care, research and education that saves and improves the lives of 17 million children each year.

Source: www.ChildrensMiracleNetwork.org.

Cora Carolina on Milking the issue

We were very honored by having a post done on Cora Carolina on the wonderful blog Milking the issue– thank you so much for writing this Alissa! xo

Trick-or-Treat, pumpkin picking, hayrides, ghosts and goblins

Halloween is a popular celebration around the world.  On October 31st you can see young and old people alike dressed as their favorite characters and people. This is the one day that you can become just about anyone or anything that you want to be without being the subject of ridicule.  Children associate Halloween with scary movies and tons of candy and a night of trick or treating.

Things have changed so much with the times now that many parents do not allow their children to go trick or treating.  Many cities have also placed regulations on trick or treating activities.  Some of those regulations include things such as not allowing trick or treating on a school night and asking willing candy givers to indicate they have candy by leaving their porch lights on.

Some parents have opted to have Halloween parties for their children as opposed to letting them go out for trick or treating.  Other parents who like the idea do a more structured trick or treating at businesses and shopping malls.  For the parents who let their children go to traditional trick or treating events, they need to make sure that they check the candies thoroughly before allowing the children to enjoy their treats.

The healthiness of the snacks is also a big concern for parents today.  Pounds of candy are not the best thing for the kids.  However there are healthy alternatives that are available.

If you plan on passing out treats this Halloween make sure that the goodies are prepackaged as most parents will throw out things that are not packaged from a store.  Instead of the standard sugary treats consider healthier alternatives such as gummy fruit snacks, trail mix or dried fruits.  When it comes to children, as long as it tastes good and it is sweet it will go over just fine.  The parents will also appreciate your healthy choice in snacks.

The Halloween celebration does not have to become another casualty due to our changing times.  Halloween is not just for the kids anymore either.  There are safe and fun alternatives and solutions in order to have a worry free celebration for the night.  There are usually plenty of local activities for the family to enjoy.

Did you know?  One quarter of all the candy sold annually in the U.S. is purchased for Halloween.

Halloween Giveaway

Today launches the 2010 Halloween Giveaway and one person will win a $100 Visa Gift Card.

To enter for a chance to win please leave a comment at the end of this blog post.

Separate comments for entries to be counted.

Mandatory entry:

1. Sign up for our newsletter/ Mailing List

2. Leave a message on our facebook wall telling your favorite Halloween tradition

3. “Like” Cora Carolina on facebook (if you haven't already)

4. Share this giveaway on your facebook page.

5. Tweet about this giveaway. Be sure to include @coracarolina and a link to this post.

6. Follow Cora Carolina on twitter

This Giveaway ends 12 pm EST on October 31, 2010. After the last day of the giveaway we will pick, at random.org, one winner out of all the comments. Winner has 48 hours to respond, before another winner will be chosen.

We do not share your email with anyone.

In order to be eligible to win you must follow all of the rules listed above. You must be over the age of 18 and live in the U.S.

Good Luck!

Music helps to stimulate the child's mind

There have been many studies done regarding the importance of music in the development of children.  Studies have proven that music does have a positive influence on children in different stages of development.

Parents are known to play classical music while the mother is still pregnant.  It is a well known fact that children do react positively to music even while in the fetal stages.  Classical music is soothing to the fetus, especially when it is very active and causing the mother discomfort.

Music also plays a part in early child development.  Most mobiles and crib toys play some kind of music to soothe the child to sleep.  Music also gets the baby's attention at play.  Music helps to stimulate the child's mind and that is important at any stage of development.  Many shows that are geared toward children incorporate some type of music into their programming.

Music is also a wonderful learning tool.  There are songs that help children learn things on television programs as well as in the classroom.  Most children learn their ABCs through song.  There are many lessons that are incorporated through music.

Music also helps with hand eye coordination in children.  The rhythmic clapping and keeping up with the music stimulates the brain.  Studies also show that exposure to music helps with learning math later in the child's life.

Children who participate in music in school are also proven to be better students.  Learning music takes a lot of counting and reading, both are classes that musicians in school are known to excel in.  Children who take music classes or are a part of a band have to learn to read music and of course they have to keep time with the music.  They also have to learn to work together with the band and have to play their parts effectively.

As a part of a band the children also learn that if they do not cover their parts then the piece is not complete.  They must participate synonymously with each other in order for their recitals to be successful.  They learn teamwork and responsibility all in one place.

Music is both educational and therapeutic.  It can help soothe people and it is also associated with celebration of all kinds.  It's a wonderful tool of education.

Structured or unstructured play time?

There has been plenty of debate recently about structured versus unstructured play.  For those that are not sure of the difference, structured play involved preplanned activities.  Preplanned activities may include themed events and even board games where there are a set of rules that need to be followed.  Unstructured play is basically free time for the children to so as they wish in their playtime.

Child development experts say that unstructured play is vital to the development of the child.  Unstructured play allows children to learn to play together effectively.  It allows them to learn teamwork and compromise.  It also allows the child to explore lands of make believe and allows for their play to be imaginative and unbounded.  This type of play also allows the child to learn problem solving skills as they will make forts, use everyday items around the house as props for their play and they will create characters and stories that they will play to.

Having a constant schedule to adhere to can be a good thing however, if there is absolutely no free time it does tend to become stressful.  As grownups we often crave time where we have nothing to do except for relax, maybe watch some television or read; whatever it is that we enjoy doing.  This is the very same concept for children.  They need the time to daydream and image things that they want to do and make up their own games.

There are others that say that unstructured play leaves too much of an opportunity for a child to act inappropriately and get into trouble.  They also say that there should be play dates set so that their children can be supervised at all times and that there also should be games and activities that are planned before the play date.

Advocates against unstructured play also believe that there is no room for idle time in a child's day.  All time should be scheduled and that leaves no room for misbehaving.

Advocates for unstructured play feel that so much structure will backfire later on in the child's life and may lead to rebellion.  Parents that plan every facet of a child's day tend to do so on into a child's later years.  This constant planning will make the child feel as if they have no choice to do the things that they want to do and to participate in last minute activities with their friends.

Interview with Gareth Butcher of Natural Fashion

CC: Could you please begin giving us a little background on
you and your company. What first got you interested in going green and work
with organics?

GB: The Natural Fashion Consortium was founded on April 4th, 2000
with the objective of strengthening the clothing and textile companies of
the city of Campina Grande, PB, Brazil, to confront the strong competition
in external markets. With this in mind, the members of the consortium
searched for a product that could serve as a competitive differential for
this group of 10 companies, namely, coloured cotton.
The consortium grew and it was necessary to create a production cooperative,
so that it was feasible for new partners to join and a growing number of
products could be sold. Initially formed by 10 clothing and fabric
companies, today the cooperative, known as CoopNatural, has 35 members - 25
of which are textile sector manufacturers. More specifically, they are
manufacturers of female, male and infant clothing; cuddly toys; decorations
and accessories.
Natural Fashion offers to the market the quality that comes from
artisan-produced products, which are ecologically and socially correct, and
yet still use the concepts of: family-based agriculture, cooperative labour,
mother's clubs and periphery neighbourhood associations from Campina Grande.
The collection that is developed from this naturally coloured and organic
cotton is like re-reading Northeastern Brazilian culture, but this time
being linked to the trends of international fashion.
For me personally, what attracted me to work for Natural Fashion was the
chance to work in an area in which I specialize in, namely foreign trade, at
the same time as being involved with an organization that truly has at its
core the desire to work in harmony with the environment and to improve the
socio-economic conditions of a relatively poor, large local community.


CC: Your company is very concerned about the widespread use of
chemicals within the textile industry and specially on cotton.
Please share with us some of the statistics you gathered.

GB: Some of the main reasons why Natural Fashion is involved in the
cultivation of organic cotton is:
- Because 25% of the worldwide consumption of agro-toxins takes place
on cotton plantations.
- Because in the Northeast of Brazil there are 2 million family-based
agricultural workers that could be absorbed by the production of organic
cotton.
- Because organic agriculture encompasses all environmental, social
and economic systems.
- Because the organic model is in agreement with the global principles
accepted in local geo-climatic and socio-economic contexts.


CC: Please tell us how do we know the strict organic requirements have been
met?

GB: By the fact that the cooperative's cotton is certified organic by
the IBD.

CC: What is the most hopeful sign you've see recently in the
green economy?

GB: The demand for organic cotton products remaining strong (due to
consumers' growing environmental awareness and commitment to the
environment) even during the recent and continuing, difficult economic
situation.

CC: What are the benefits of using organic cotton?

GB: Amongst others:
- It helps reduce the thousands of deaths that occur each year from
pesticide poisoning in developing countries, many of these from cotton
farming;
- Makes use of farming techniques elaborated to help sustain the land it
grows on, the people who grow and harvest it, and the planet in general;
- It helps protect the world's water tables from pollution by agro-toxins;
- In many cases it provides sustainable employment and income for small
family-based agricultural workers;
- The likelihood is lower that the user of the product made from organic
cotton will suffer from skin-based allergies.

CC: What advice would you give to green entrepreneurs just
starting out?

GB: Using the passion that they have for the green product that they are
interested in, they should first develop and apply market research to
identify potential target markets and their necessities in relation to the
product being considered. From that point, they should then identify
segments of the market that can be targeted profitably, and then tailor the
different aspects of the marketing mix for the product chosen to attend to
their needs. Really, like any entrepreneur starting out, the keys to begin
with are planning and research.

CC: Thank you. We really appreciate your contribution to our blog.

Advertising & Toy Popularity

Watch any children’s TV program, and catch a few commercials in between, and you can predict what your kids, nieces, or nephews will be adding to their birthday or Christmas wish lists. Fads spread among children as fast as the common cold. Behind each craze, there is usually a carefully constructed marketing campaign, geared to grab the attention of anyone within range of a television, radio, or store display.
By its very nature, advertising aims to make a product or service as visible and memorable as possible, including children’s toys. American children are notorious for their regular television viewing, and companies seize on that opportunity to kick-start the latest toy trends. Promotions aren’t limited to just commercials, though; in addition to hearing a 30-second spot on how awesome a new dollhouse or action figure is, they may also see their favorite TV show character playing with it, and proclaiming how he or she can’t live without it.
It would be nice if children’s toys rose in popularity due to educational value or reduced environmental impact, but it is very rare that these types of worthwhile reasons factor into the skyrocketing demand for a certain toy. What matters to the vast majority of kids is who has what, and what they are being told is “cool”—and modern marketing strategists seize this as an opportunity to profit. Simply put, a toy becomes popular because kids are bombarded with it and told they need it.
If promotional messages focused more on educational, eco-friendly toys, children would begin to believe these are absolutely necessary. Kids are largely influenced by their surroundings: change the advertising, and they will follow.

When children pretend, they’re using their imaginations to move beyond the bounds of reality. A stick can be a magic wand. A sock can be a puppet. A small child can be a superhero. Fred Rogers

My Tickles

We love making friends in our neighborhood and collaborating together of course! This month we have partnered up with My Tickles. They have the cutest assortment!

Sophie Doll

Get your daughter’s doll collection off to a delightful start with our cute and buoyant Sophie. Her matching butterfly barrette and Shirley Temple curls round out an altogether unforgettable ensemble. Commemorate a birthday or special occasion by presenting a cherished loved one with our Sophie doll.

The Importance of Play

The best course of action to take sometimes isn't clear until you've listed and considered your alternatives. The following paragraphs should help clue you in to what the experts think is significant.
Truthfully, the only difference between you and Children experts is time. If you'll invest a little more time in reading, you'll be that much nearer to expert status when it comes to Children. Play is so important to optimal child development that it has been recognized by the United Nations High Commission for Human Rights as a right of every child. This birthright is challenged by forces including child labor and exploitation practices, war and neighborhood violence, and the limited resources available to children living in poverty. However, even those children who are fortunate enough to have abundant available resources and who live in relative peace may not be receiving the full benefits of play. Many of these children are being raised in an increasingly hurried and pressured style that may limit the protective benefits they would gain from child driven play. Because every child deserves the opportunity to develop to their unique potential, child advocates must consider all factors that interfere with optimal development and press for circumstances that allow each child to fully reap the advantages associated with play. Those forces that prevent children in poverty and the working class from benefiting fully from play deserve full attention. Play contributes to optimal child development for all children and that we must advocate for the changes specific to the need of each child’s social and environmental. Perhaps above all, play is a simple joy that is a cherished part of childhood. Those who only know one or two facts about Children can be confused by misleading information. The best way to help those who are misled is to gently correct them with the truths you're learning here.

Everything...

What is organic farming

Would you like to find out what those-in-the-know have to say about eco-friendly? The information in the article below comes straight from well-informed experts with special knowledge about eco-friendly.
It seems like new information is discovered about something every day. And the topic of eco-friendly is no exception. Keep reading to get more fresh news about eco-friendly.
Organic farming practices have been shown to produce considerable environmental benefits over non-organic farming.
In recent years there has been a dramatic decline in our farmland wildlife, from birds to wildflowers.  Almost half of the 44 species of butterflies breeding in lowland grassland are in decline and the number of farmland birds has fallen by 30% since 1970.  Wild flowers such as the cornflower that were once very common are now a rare sight. Organic farming practices are generally accepted as helping to increase biodiversity.  In one study measuring levels of biodiversity on different farms, 18 of the best 20 farms were organic.  Organic farms generally have a broader range of habitats and have been found to contain five times as many wild plants and 57 more plant species than non-organic farms.
Artificial chemicals and fertilizers are avoided on organic farms as their benefit is short lived.  Instead, a sustainable system including the planting of crops such as clover is used to build a fertile soil.  Along with active habitat management, this encourages micro-organisms and earthworms that keep the soil healthy.

 Of course, it's impossible to put everything about eco-friendly into just one article. But you can't deny that you've just added to your understanding about eco-friendly, and that's time well spent.

Fair Trade Toys: Fun for Kids, Kind to the Environment

Not all of the products we own are manufactured to the benefit of all parties. But with the aptly named “Fair Trade” items, production is engineered to ensure not only their durability and functionality, but also the equitable compensation and treatment of the people and materials used to create them. In addition to sparking fun and imagination, Fair Trade toys offer an array of socially responsible advantages:

Handmade in developing countries: India, Peru, Thailand, Sudan, and Haiti are just a few of the countries where Fair Trade toys are produced.

Beneficial to the creators: Crafters receive fair wages and benefits for their work; in turn, their families and communities benefit from the income.

Unique, high-quality designs: Since every toy is handmade and not rushed through a factory line, each is fashioned individually with painstaking attention to detail and the finest materials available.

Safe for children: Unlike the standard kids’ toys made in China, Fair Trade toys are made from entirely toxic-free plastics and paints.

Environmentally friendly: Made from natural, sustainable materials, Fair Trade toys are produced by eco-conscious companies that seek out the most efficient, low-impact processes.

Fair Trade toys are a win/win: kids get to enjoy imaginative play, while you are content in the knowledge that your purchase is contributing to a healthier planet and benefiting the people and communities producing them. And on top of all those advantages, each toy presents an opportunity to introduce your children to a new culture and a different part of the world. 

Eco-friendly Toys: Good All Around

From new cars to dishwashing detergent, virtually every purchase these days is centered around eco-friendliness—with some exceptions. Until just recently, there wasn’t much focus on environmental responsibility in the toy industry. Eco-friendly toys are finally beginning to grow in popularity and availability, although many consumers still aren’t aware of them.

As their name implies, eco-friendly toys are good for the earth. The meaning of this phrase can vary: the toys might be manufactured from recycled or renewable materials, colored with water-based paints, produced locally, or use minimal packaging. Regardless of the specifics, most eco-friendly toys eliminate the risk of toxins and paints that may harm children. Think about it: toys can go into a baby’s mouth, a toddler’s bed, or a kindergartner’s backpack—it stands to reason that extra precautions should be taken to ensure their safety. 

Safe, earth-friendly toys also present an opportunity to teach children about the importance of the environment by involving them directly. When you give your child an eco-friendly toy, you can explain how the toy was made—with sustainable materials, using socially responsible processes, or according to Fair Trade policies—and why that matters. Kids who are raised to respect the earth from an early age will grow into adults who have a deep understanding of and appreciation for their natural surroundings.

As an environmentally conscious parent, eco-friendly toys provide you with a way to help the planet while easing your anxieties about your children’s well-being. You can rest assured that the toys your children are handling and exploring are completely safe  Plus, you’ll be supporting organizations that care about the world as much as you do. Eco-friendly toys are an easy step towards a better, brighter future for your children and future generations.

On April 22, fourty years ago, a new movement had emerged across the globe. With a pledge to try to improve the environment we live in, Earth Day has made an impact in countries all over the world making people not only aware but involved in working on keeping our environment safe and clean.

Though Earth Day should be everyday, April 22 has become a universal day in which we come together to make an effort to protect our environment. Across the world, there are events happening on this day, and you can inform yourself going on earthday.org of what you can do on your community to help spread awareness, and which small steps you can take to help the environment.

Simple changes like recycling cans and bottles on a daily basis can make a huge difference on the lives of future generations.