I grew up rinsing out and crushing milk jugs and then saving them for recycling day without ever really considering what those milk jugs would become. Now I know…

Green Toys is a company that uses recycled milk jugs to make toys. Every pound of recycled milk jugs saves on average enough electricity to power a television for 3 whole weeks. Huge, right? Reusing these milk containers also reduces greenhouse gas emissions (learn more here). And that’s just bonuses to the cute and affordable toys Green Toys makes. I was sent the Stacker toy to review. It’s made in the USA and it’s made from 100% recycled plastic milk containers. And we’ve loved playing with it! The pieces nest easily and can stack in any order. The stacker has shown no wear and tear even though we play with it a lot and Holly likes to throw the pieces. It’s a good-looking toy whether it’s on the shelf, or scattered across the floor. The stacker came packaged in only recycled and recyclable materials printed with soy inks. When it arrived, I carefully looked it over for any inconsistencies in the dye or imperfections, but found none! It holds no trace of being made from recyclables.

I’m a big fan on this toy and this company. They carry an excellent selection of toys at completely reasonable prices. From spoons, forks and plates, to dump trucks! Reward yourself and your children for all the recycling you’ve done lately (and teach them what can be made from all your milk jugs) and purchase some Green Toys for the holidays! – Katie

I first reviewed Simple Shoes on Boutique Cafe’s Daily Dish in April of last year. I still own my cute pair of Entires and wear them whenever I have the perfect combination of dry, warm weather and freshly painted toenails (it’s all about the polish with peep-toe shoes). I love the shoes, I love the eco-friendliness of the company and the timeliness of their message.

I also love the shoes in their new spring collection. Simple Shoes sent me the D-Kay in Jute, a sort of skater-style women’s tennis shoe. Well, maybe it’s not super skater but it’s definitely more hip and youthful than my tan suede Rocket Dog sneakers! Here’s me trying them on for the first time and a what appears to be a pathetic attempt at ballet’s first position:

And here’s me kickin’ back in my D-Kays on our super comfy couch. (At least, I’m guess it’s super comfy since I rarely sit on it much less kick back on it. Who has the time?)

Though I wouldn’t typically choose this style of tennis shoe (it’s totally my sister, though), I really enjoyed wearing them. Made me feel a few years younger and yet not like I was one of those mom’s who raids her daughter’s closet. At first the top of the back of the heel felt like it might sit too high and poke into my ankle (or whatever bone/ligament/tendon is back there), after I wore it a couple times it loosened right up and I didn’t give it a second thought. The D-Kay is a really fun shoe, and like all Simple Shoes, it has a really cool makeup:

• Eco-certified suede eyestays


• Certified organic cotton laces


• A “pedbed” (the cushiony and supportive stuff at the bottom of the shoe) made of super soft and squishy polyurethane foam and recycled rubber


• Certified organic cotton lining and footbed


• A biodegradable sole made of recycled and natural rubber and EVA with Eco-Pure additive


• Water-based glue


• Foot form inserts made of post consumer recycled paper

And your D-Kays arrive in a shoebox made of post-consumer recycled paper, soy based printing ink, natural latex and starch based glue.

The other fab shoe in the collection is the women’s Flippee. Who doesn’t love—and live in—a great pair of flip-flops all summer long? This new flip-flop from Simple Shoes is just as eco-friendly as the D-Kay and just as stylish, if in more of a “I’d rather hit the beach than hit the skate park” sort of way (my sort of way). They have lots of fun color combos and I’m telling you, they look like the comfiest flip-flops a beach-goer could own!

If my tan can’t be sustainable, then I sure as heck want my shoes to be! Check out all Simple Shoes’ new arrivals for spring/summer on their website at SimpleShoes.com.—Emily