Hello cloth diapering friends, thanks so much for visiting! While my own kids have graduate from cloth diapers, it's still my passion to educate and share our love of cloth diapering with others. During the day I spend my time working for Kelly's Closet managing their social media and marketing department. It may sound like a huge company; but in reality there are just 3 employees including myself! I colored this earlier today while waiting to take the kids to school using Tombow Dual Brush Pens. In the evenings when I'm not helping my kids with homework, leading my daughter's Girl Scout troop, watching soccer practice, or shuttling kids to and from.....I enjoy all things creative! I've recently started designing cloth diaper designs for walls and apparel. I have a big creative to-do list for design projects that are cloth diaper related; like this fun coloring page! All designs are created by me; original work!! You can visit my Etsy and TeeSpring shops anytime; I have more ... [ Read More ]
Cloth Diaper Laundry Room Sign Download
If you are a cloth diapering family or just want something fun to hang in your laundry room I've created a fun new print. I've always been an artist but haven't done much with my art since before my kids were born. A few years ago I began dabbling in different arts and crafts again trying to get my creative juices flowing again. I've spent a lot of energy on my painted rocks over the past few years but I have a fun new creative medium!! My ipad Pro, Procreate app and Apple Pencil!! I've never been trained in graphic design or created digital designs before and have been teaching myself how to do this. With the Apple Pencil I (almost) feel like I'm doodling away in my favorite sketch book. I have a lot more to learn and have a lot of fun ideas and goals for this year. For starters, this print is available for purchase on Etsy for you to download and print at home! It's an 8.5" x 11" PDF file that you can hang in your laundry room. I know everyone's wash routine varies but this is ... [ Read More ]
Washing Cloth Diapers with Tide + Oxi
This post is sponsored by Procter & Gamble. Considering using cloth diapers on your baby? Are you a cloth diapering parent who is searching for the right detergent to use to wash them? Guess what? There really aren’t too many restrictions when washing your diapers. The key to getting your diapers clean is having a good wash routine and a good detergent; like Tide + Oxi. Washing your diapers is actually much easier than deciding which brand and style you’ll want to try! Keep it simple! A good wash routine is easy to find and can be adjusted depending on your washing machine. You’ll always want to follow the care instructions on the diapers. If your baby has pooped you’ll want to dump any solids into the toilet and/or spray (or dunk/swish) any stubborn solids. Do a short quick rinse in your washing machine using cold water; this will help remove urine and feces before the wash cycle. Next, use the warmest water wash allowable for your brand of diapers. Most brands ... [ Read More ]
Creative Last Minute Gift Ideas
...and the countdown to Christmas continues! Did you forget someone on your Christmas list? Still stumped on what to get someone? It's practically too late to order an actual gift from Amazon or any online store (unless you pay through the nose for shipping). This post is in partnership with Florida Prepaid College Plans as part of their Starting is Believing campaign. All opinions are my own and may not reflect those of the company. Creative Last Minute Gift Ideas Homemade Anything: I tend to be on the crafty DIY side and I truly enjoy making gifts for people. I don't have a ton of time to be crafty but I try to make at least a few gifts each year. This year my daughter and I made some homemade bath bombs! My first batch was a total fail, but second time is a charm! Bath bombs! Cross your fingers they stay firm and don’t crumble upon drying! #bathbombs A post shared by Calley Pate (@backtocalley) on Dec 17, 2017 at 10:11am PST Experiences: Let's admit ... [ Read More ]
Girls Just Want to Have Fun Giveaway
Do you have a little girl (or a little boy who rocks pinks and purples)? Today Thirsties adds a few new items to their collection of cloth diapers. They have added a new purple color, Iris, and a revamped print, Alice Brights. Alice Brights has been retired for quite a few years now, but has been revamped with poppy and iris colors. The trend this year with cloth diaper companies is to freshen up their color palette and Thirsties has done a great job with that task. While some of the soft "baby" colors remain, they are now complemented with some brighter, more vivid colors. As we near the end of summer, Iris, Poppy, and Alice Brights are the perfect transition from Summer to Fall. Alice Brights is available in the Duo Wrap, One-Size AIO, One-Size Pocket, Newborn AIO, and wet bag. The mailman delivered a wet bag to me today, but my daughter has already stolen it and filled it with toys! That's what I get for asking her to get the mail for me. Iris is available in the Duo ... [ Read More ]
8 Fun Things to Do at MommyCon Orlando
MommyCon is coming to Orlando on Saturday, May 23rd and I've been looking forward to this day for the entire year. You can view the entire agenda and schedule of events on the MommyCon Orlando website. If you've never been to a MommyCon before, be sure you wear comfy shoes because there is a lot to do and even more to see. Use coupon code ECOCHIC15 and save $5 off your General Admission Ticket! (Affiliate link) 1. Attend a few seminars. I'm planning on listening to the Cloth Diapering 101 seminar with Cotton Babies, Comedy Hour with the Honest Toddler's Bunmi Laditan, and Dear 25 Year Old Me with Jill Krause from Baby Rabies. Be sure to check the schedule and mark the seminars you want to attend, the day moves very quickly and you might not get to see everything if you're not organized. 2. Shop the marketplace! There are lots and lots and lots of vendors at MommyCon. If you're looking for cloth diapers you'll be happy to know that AppleCheeks, Thirsties, Smart Bottoms, ... [ Read More ]
10 Simple Ways to Go Green This Earth Day (and Every Day)
This post is sponsored by Flipp App. Earth Day is April 22nd and it's a good time for us all to refocus and find new ways to be more eco-friendly. We all live different lifestyles and have different resources available to us. Regardless of where you are in your journey to live a greener lifestyle, remember that every little step we take adds up in big ways. Here are just a few simple ways that you may be able to go green this Earth Day... 1. Teach Our Children to Love the Earth - the biggest gift we can give to our children is the ability to love and respect the natural environment. Let your children help you recycle. Give them a small section of the garden to care for. Teach our children that the future of this planet depends on how well we care for it. 2. Buy Less - What items have you purchased recently that you could have lived without? That new purse? That new Lilly Pulitzer outfit from Target? That extra cloth diaper in the newest print? Think before you ... [ Read More ]
The Secrets of Cloth Diapering
This post is sponsored by Project Pomona and you can enter to win some amazing prizes (over $1200 worth) if you scroll to the bottom! Good luck! I have a huge secret for you... Cloth diapering a baby is easy! If you're new to cloth diapering and just starting to do your research you may be a little overwhelmed. I'm going to share with you some of my secrets so that you won't be scared any longer! I promise, you can do this!! 1. Start with the basics! There are a LOT of different styles of cloth diapers, but the main ones you need to know in the beginning are pocket diapers, all-in-one diapers, and diaper covers with prefolds. Pocket diapers are the most popular style because they are so versatile. All-in-ones are the easiest style and the style that is most like a disposable diaper; however they tend to cost the most. Covers with prefolds are the "old fashioned" style diaper and the most cost effective. Pick the style that best suits your financial and personal preferences ... [ Read More ]
Celebrate Diversity & Unity Through Cloth Diapers #ClothCommunity
Join us February 2nd as we celebrate the cloth diapering community. It's a day in which parents everywhere celebrate our diversities and our unity. #ClothCommunity Day is a campaign brought to you from many of your favorite cloth diaper bloggers. I have to give most of the credit to Mindy (Inquisitive Mom) for organizing the communities efforts to bring this to life. As a community, we've been online for 6+ years chatting about cloth diapers on our blogs and social media. My own journey with cloth began 6 years ago when my daughter was born and I reached out to the internet to research this new, modern cloth diaper. It's really funny to go back and read some of my early cloth diaper posts. I was just like many new moms that I encounter on a daily basis - nervous, confused, overwhelmed, and full of questions! You can laugh along with me here, and here, and here if you like. It was back then that I formed some of the friendships with other bloggers, companies, and readers. It's ... [ Read More ]
Congratulations, it’s a…brand new Thirsties Newborn All-In-One
Sponsored by Thirsties Warning: Your ovaries may burst after reading this post. I am not responsible for any babies born 9 months from now. BONUS: Keep scrolling down to enter to win a 2 pack of the Thirsties Newborn AIO cloth diapers. Don't say that I didn't warn you! I mean, just look at those tiny little toes. Can't you just smell the new baby smell? Ok, focus...and try to convince yourself that you don't want another newborn. ...but if you are pregnant, expecting, or planning on having a newborn anytime soon, Thirsties has a brand new diaper just for you! When Thirsties released their new one-size all-in-one last year, people were concerned that they would no longer have a small newborn option. The OS AIO begins fitting around 8-10 lbs but one-size diapers tend to be bulky on newborns. That was one of the features that I truly loved about the Duo AIO (now retired), was that the Size 1 would fit those small newborns. Problem solved! About the Newborn ... [ Read More ]