I know you have heard me regaling the splendor
of this particular company before,
so I don’t think it will come as a surprise when I say,
“I absolutely love Barley & Birch.”
Love.
I love them for their soft natural-white organic fabrics,
cozy functional pieces, and unexpectedly fresh designs.
I think they are perfect for a basic toddler wardrobe
that feels natural to baby and to Mama’s style aesthetic:)
(at least that’s how it goes ’round here–
why didn’t MY Mum have B&B pretties to swaddle me in?)
And I love the face behind Barley & Birch, Kyle Smitley.
Kyle is a super hero.
During one summer full of internships and her usual busy-ness,
Kyle took a job on the side using her degree in Environmental Science.
She threw herself into a research project for a children’s eco-boutique owner,
who wanted some cold hard facts on the kids industry.
What was actually in these “kid-friendly” products?
So Kyle tested and investigated the makers of bottles, mattresses, apparel and toys and found that:
(A) She was now totally terrified about what her friends children were coming in contact with, because there is some scary stuff used to produce kid’s products.
And, (B) that the big apparel companies were all deceiving their consumer market. ALL of them. Some were sourcing labor to sketchy sweatshops but hung their hats on the term “fair trade” when they must not have fully grasped what that term meant. That it does not guarantee labor conditions, and all were using phthalate-laden and plastisol inks and using dyes containing heavy metals to print with.
All the while they were boasting that they were improving the world.
So Kyle went to battle, knowing in her heart that this whole consumer base was being taken advantage of.
She felt she needed to DO SOMETHING.
Thus,
Barley & Birch
was born.
She chose the name in honor of the birch trees in front of her childhood home
and the barley fields near where she went to school;.
She hadn’t an ounce of experience in apparel and it was a major uphill battle.
One of the things I’d been curious about,
was her wonderful way of connecting
with all these different communities all over the word.
Kyle says, “All of our connections are made so very randomly.
We just hear about people through our membership in Green America
(formerly Co-op America) and if they have a great story we reach out and find an excuse to work together.
That’s how we’ve built our entire supply chain.”
What has inspired you to create such a diverse collection?
“We get our inspiration from all over the place. Our concept is rooted in being gender neutral and unique and not the average cutesy cutesy kidswear or boring organic kidswear. A lot of the humor comes from our designer, Jodie’s brain (like who else comes up with a bear eating sushi with chopsticks?) Other than that our prints are inspired by whatever we see that we think should be on a kid. With the Fall 2010 collection I’m trying to have a more unified inspiration, which is all the small local farms in the country with their unique breeds and species.”
Needless to say, I am so impressed, and wholeheartedly support her efforts.
Barley & Birch is the real deal when it comes to healthy, planet saving clothes.
They definitely are true to the practices they preach; you can rest assured
that your purchase from them goes a lot farther than just buying something
organically soft for your little one.
You become part of a line of support to our planet, and its inhabitants.
Check out their site for more specific info on their donations and partnerships.
I was proud as punch to have Barley & Birch choose me as their sponsee for Blissdom this year. Its hard for me to stop talking about them once I get started, and I want to thank everyone there who showed such a genuine interest and support of their company. For those of you who were lucky enough to snag one of their tees I handed out via swag bag at Type A Mom last September—you know how fabulous their product is. I hope all of you will take the time to support this lovely company; please visit their blog and shopping site to see the care that goes into each stitch, and water-based ink print, of their clothing.
I know you will adore them as much as I do.
***************************
While I was at Blissdom
many of you came rushing to give me your business card
when you heard I was giving away Barley & Birch pieces
in the winners choice of size and style:)
Never fear, the time to announce the winner is here—
The stash.
The NO-PEEKING.
The Reach.
The oh-so perfect choice.
Amy……it was meant to be.
You are the winner of two pieces of Barley & Birch apparel
in your choice of size and style:)
So happy you get to experience the prettiness of these lovely clothes<3
(and p.s. Please come back to visit Monday
as I will have a preview of their new Spring lineup!
Exclusive photos taken at the Ossahatchee Indian Festival
and perhaps another giveaway? We shall see:)
disclosure:
Although Barley & Birch was kind enough to sponsor me for Blissdom,
AND send me pretty clothes to try….
I was in no way influenced by these gifts in my opinion of their clothing.
I honestly love them, and in the beginning, sought them out myself for a review.
Meeting Kyle, and getting to sample a few of their pieces
has cemented my adoration of this little eco-powerhouse of a business.
I highly recommend Barley & Birch organic wear
to anyone with little person they can dress in them:)
If they came in my size I would wear them too.
"May the love of
our Lord be with
you. Now and always
may you stay blameless
'till He comes."
Congratulations to Amy! So well deserved!
You may know that I am in love with Barley & Birch as well. My boys look amazing in their shirts and I love showing them off in them!
Aww! So glad to know another B&B fan:)
I seriously can’t get enough of their soft, sweet tees—they make for amazing photo ops!
OMG I never win anything!!! yahooooooooooooo thank you so much! xoxoxo
You will <3 Barley and Birch….I'm so very sure:) Can't wait to see what you choose!
xoxox,
Sara Sophia