SeeingGreen (TM)

Over the past few years, many of my friends have been making little friends and I often find myself on the lookout for a gift to celebrate the new arrival. I also want the token to be meaningful, useful and of course, easy on the earth. Fortunately, Portland is teaming with baby and environment-friendly stores that carry everything from organic cotton diapers to fun gifts for Moms and Dads to-be.

On a recent “I love being an Aunt” shopping binge, I visited several of Portland’s baby-centric stores and here is what I went home with. I left Grasshopper with a fine assortment of storybooks (even one in English and Spanish) and a wooden train whistle for my alternative transportation-loving nephew. At Black Wagon, I picked up a copy of “Baby Mix Me A Drink,” part of a series of “baby be of use” books by McSweeney’s. [I am hoping that some day they start a similar series for cats, with titles such as “Cat, make me some coffee” or “Cat, run to the store and pick momma up a six pack.”] And finally, at Mother Nature’s light-filled boutique on SE Clinton, I bought an organic cotton baby kimono that no matter how much I stretch it, still doesn’t fit me. Oh well, I guess I will just have to give it away to the newest addition to our block.

Grasshopper
1816 NE Alberta

Black Wagon
3964 N. Mississippi

Mother Nature’s
2627 SE Clinton