Celebrate International Women’s Day now and all year long! Target makes it easy to shop brands created by woman with the company’s new “Women Owned” icon.

According to the big red bullseye retailer’s website, the Women Owned icon can help shoppers to, “Support women entrepreneurs by shopping the brands featured here. In the future, look for this badge to keep supporting women-owned businesses.”

What women-created brands can you look for at Target? If you’re on the hunt for a new beauty brand that has long-lasting, cruelty-free formulas in a range of skin tones, Cashmere Nicole’s Beauty Bakerie is a line to check out. Brook Harvey-Taylor’s Pacifica Beauty also includes cruelty-free products. This 25-year old brand brings clean, non-toxic items to the public in sustainable packaging too!

Other Women Owned brands Target carries include Jenn Chiba’s House of Lashes cruelty-free lashes, Monique Rodriguez’s Mielle Organics, Bijou Karman, Katie Sturino’s Megababe body care solutions, Chris-Tia Donaldson’s TGIN hair care line, Natalie Mackey’s Winky Lux beauty products, the Camille Rose hair/body brand by Janell Stephens and Honest Beauty by celeb/actress/business owner Jessica Alba.

To find these brands and other lines made by women, just look for the “Women Owned” icon on Target.com.

—Erica Loop

Photo courtesy of Target

 

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Just when you thought the shopping fun was over, Whole Foods is here to save the day. The Amazon-owned market is having a serious beauty sale, and it starts on Friday!

From Fri., Oct. 16 to Sun., Oct. 18, all beauty, body and personal care items will be 25 percent off. Oh, and did we mention that Amazon Prime members will get an addition 10 percent off?

photo: iStock

The sale will include items already marked down, in addition to regular priced items. You’ll be able to shop your fave clean brands that include Dr. Bronner’s, 365 by Whole Foods Market, Schmidt’s, Alba, Jason and more.

Head to your local Whole Foods Market or shop online through amazon.com.

––Karly Wood

 

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Congratulations, you’re having a baby! In all your planning for diapers, baby gear, toys and clothes, it suddenly dawns on you that this can also be an opportunity to offer your child something more meaningful: a better, more giving, more sustainable future. As you’re making your registry, here are a few products that are changing the world for the better, and what could be a better gift than that?

Cuddle + Kind Dolls & Prints

Cuddle Kind

The Cuddle + Kind founders wanted a way to give back, and they did just that, developing a model in which the purchase of a doll can feed ten children in need. Since September 2015, purchases have helped provide more than 8 million meals! In addition to that, the hand-knit dolls are ethically created in Peru, offering more than 750 artisans a sustainable, fair-trade income. And the dolls are beautiful, soft, cuddly and meant to be snuggled. With so many different styles and choices, there's a Cuddle + Kind for every baby. The company also sells inspirational prints for the nursery (shown above); each purchase provides five meals to children in need.

Bombas Socks

Bombas

The word "bombas" comes from the Latin word for bumblebee, a creature that works with its fellow hive members to make a real difference in the world around them. Bombas, as a company, strives to achieve the same impact, donating one pair of socks for every pair of socks purchased. The company’s founders found that socks were the number-one item requested in homeless shelters, and since its foundation, the company has given away 29,262,619 of them. The Bombas mantra is “bee better,” and you have the chance to do the same by adding Bombas socks to your baby registry. Bonus: They’re adorable. You can even order a family pack pack that has matching socks for moms (or dads) and toddlers.

TOMS

TOMS

TOMS isn’t a new company, but it was one of the first to offer a give-back option for shoppers, founded on the one-for-one model that donated a pair of shoes for every shoe purchased. Since its foundation in 2006, TOMS has given away more than 95 million shoes in 85 countries, and the numbers continue to grow. A new direction for the company directs a portion of proceeds to the support of physical safety, mental health and equal opportunities for all. And TOMS baby shoes? So cute you’ll wish they made them in your size. Oh, wait! They do.

Play Gym by Lovevery

Lovevery

This play gym is so lovely in design it may as well be a piece of art for your floor. But, more importantly, it’s designed to grow with your baby, including five developmental zones created to promote brain and motor skill development. What’s more? The Lovevery Play Gym is created using 100% baby-safe materials, with organic cotton, water-based, non-toxic finishes and sustainably harvested wood, providing an opportunity for you to give back to the earth by supporting sustainable farming practices. Even the plastic and silicone components of the gym are manufactured without BPA and phthalates. And it comes with a Lifetime Lost Parts promise. 

Abby + Finn Diapers

Abby Finn

There are so many diaper choices on the market, and knowing their use and disposability can make it difficult to justify their price. However, Abby + Finn Diapers offer a better solution, one that provides a quality product for your little one while also helping those in need, as the company donates 30 diapers for every monthly diaper box purchased. Made without chlorine, heavy metals, latex, fragrances, lotions, moisturizers, allergens, dyes or any substances known to be harmful to the environment, these diapers provide a clean alternative to traditional diapers and offer an easy way for your registry to give back. Added bonus: Abby + Finn has a subscription service, so you never have to worry about running to the store when you reach your last diaper.

Erbaviva Baby Skincare

Erbaviva

Did you know that, on average, children are exposed to at least 27 harmful chemicals each day, through regular, everyday body care products like sunscreen, shampoo, and lotion? Erbaviva, a USDA certified-organic company, creates skincare products for babies (and everyone else!) that are free of pesticides, fertilizers and chemicals such as parabens, phthalates, sulfates, and more. Erbaviva’s handcrafted packaging is sourced through a nonprofit that collaborates with local villagers in northern Thailand to provide sustainable income and support a mobile children’s clinic. Further, Erbaviva partners with the Blinknow Foundation to help provide quality education and a safe environment for Nepali youth. And the Erbaviva products are effective, including such items as Sniffles Chest Balm for stuffy noses and Tummy Rub to sooth baby’s upset stomach. They have some great products for pregnant mamas as well!

Greentom Stroller

Greentom

You don’t think about strollers being environmentally friendly, but the Greentom line of strollers is made from just over 12 pounds of recycled high-quality post-consumer plastic and 74 recycled PET bottles. And when your little one outgrows the stroller, it can be recycled and reused. It’s what they call a “true circular solution,” as it creates no waste and actually uses waste to clean up the environment by creating new products. Calling themselves the greenest stroller on planet Earth, Greentom strollers have award-winning designs, incredible functionality and customization choices, and offer a way for you to save the planet with every stroll, a must-have for the conscientious gift registry.

—Laura Holloway

featured image: Philip Walker via Pixabay

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The easiest and most exciting way to check out any of the hundreds of neighborhoods in the D.C. metro area is by festival hopping. From Adams Morgan to Bethesda, you’ll get all the food (street corn!), art, dance and music you can handle in one fell swoop. These street festivals are not just fun for all, but they also help support local businesses. So slip on your festival walking shoes and make your way to one of our favorites. 

photo: iStock

Bethesda Fine Arts Festival
This year’s Bethesda Fine Arts festival features 130 artists in various genres including live rock, jazz and reggae music. Walk through the festival and peruse unique jewelry, clothing and furniture on display. Then stop by local restaurants to enjoy pizza, barbecue, sandwiches and ice cream.

When: May 11-12
Where: Woodmont Triangle; along Norfolk, Auburn and Del Ray Aves. (Bethesda, MD)
Cost: Free
Online:
bethesda.org

Quarterfest
Enjoy a festival showcasing the diversity of Arlington’s food scene as Taste of Arlington becomes Quarterfest. This festival transforms Wilson Boulevard into a vibrant dining, shopping and family-fun festival for all ages. Experience a restaurant crawl showcasing eateries of the neighborhood and an extended two-day outdoor concert and pop-up street pub.

When: May 18-19
Where: Wilson Blvd., between N. Taylor and N. Quincy Sts. (Arlington, VA)
Cost: Free to attend;
$46.35-$123.60 for food and drink tickets.
Online: quarterfestballston.org

Old Town Festival of Speed and Style
The lower three blocks of King Street will be blocked off and vintage cars from the 50s, 60s, 70s and select luxury race cars will be on view. Join special fashion events and pop-ups around Old Town that make the event great for everyone. All proceeds will benefit charity partner ACT for Alexandria, a community foundation focused on increasing charitable investment and community engagement.

When: May 19
Where: 200 King St. (Alexandria, VA)
Cost: Free
Online: festivalspeedstylealex.com

photo: Bethany King via flickr

iVa! Vienna!
The Rotary Club of Vienna sponsors the ViVa! Vienna! event, which celebrates the unity and strength of the Vienna community and honors Memorial Day. This event, a time of family fun and pleasure, serves as a major fund raising opportunity for the Rotary Club so that it may, in turn, provide support for charitable, educational, and community groups the following year. Rides, food and lots of family fun!

When: May 25-27
Where: 245 Maple Ave. W (Vienna, VA)
Cost: Free
Online: vivavienna.org

Herndon Festival
The Herndon Festival takes place in historic downtown Herndon and attracts an average of 80,000 people each year. This outdoor festival provides a fun-filled experience by combining the joy of an outdoor concert with the thrill of a summertime carnival. There’s something for everyone.

When: May 30-Jun. 2
Where: Downtown (Herndon, VA)
Cost: Free
Online: herndonfestival.net

Charles Village Festival
The Charles Village Festival brings together the entire Greater Charles Village community for a two-day festival that includes a block party with live music, a garden walk tour, and a 5k and 1k kids fun run. All proceeds raised from the event benefit local non-profit organizations.

When: Jun. 1-2
Where: Wyman Park Dell; 29th and Charles Sts. (Baltimore, MD)
Online: charlesvillagefestival.net

Washington Folk Festival
The Washington Folk Festival showcases the diversity of traditional music in the Washington area. All musicians, storytellers, dancers, and crafts people live in the greater Washington metropolitan area and volunteer their talents to put on the festival.

When: Jun. 1-2
Where: Glen Echo Park; 7300 Macarthur Blvd. (Glen Echo, MD)
Online: fsgw.org

photo: michael_swan via flickr

Celebrate Fairfax!
This annual festival features concerts on various stages with headliners like Better Than Ezra, Smash Mouth and more. The festival features an abundance of other attractions like a petting zoo, carnival rides and a karaoke championship along with nightly fireworks and plenty of great food.

When: Jun. 7-9
Where: 12000 Government Center Pkwy. (Fairfax, VA)
Online: celebratefairfax.com

Silver Spring Arts & Crafts Summer Fair
Check out the Silver Spring Arts & Crafts Fair this summer featuring arts & crafts, food and beverage vendors, and many fun family activities.

When: Jul. 14
Where: Silver Spring Veterans Plaza; 1 Veterans Pl. (Silver Spring, MD)
Online: silverspringdowntown.com

17th Street Festival
Since 2010, the 17th Street Festival has been celebrating 17th Street and its diversity of restaurants and retailers. There are over 100 vendors with more than 60 artists and makers displaying everything from fine art to jewelry, ceramics to crafts, and every creative item in-between. Other vendors include area nonprofit organizations, politicians, entrepreneurs and local businesses. The kids’ zone has activities for children including a large slide, soccer, snow cones, face painting and games throughout the day.

When: Aug. 24
Where: 17th St. from P St. to R St., NW
Online: 17thstreetfestival.org

photo: Ted Eytan via flickr

Adams Morgan Day
As DC’s longest-running neighborhood festival, Adams Morgan Day celebrated its 40th anniversary last year. The event is a family-friendly celebration with music, art and activities for all ages. Adams Morgan welcomes residents and visitors alike to meet neighborhood businesses, artists and service organizations. Attendance and entertainment are free, and local businesses and restaurants offered deals for the day.

When: Sep. 8
Where: 18th St. between Kalorama and Columbia Rds., NW
Online: admoday.com

H Street Festival
H Street Festival is one of the most anticipated and highly attended single-day festivals in D.C. The festival is 11 blocks long and has 14 staging areas that are diversely themed and programmed to target the different segments of audiences. The staging areas feature music of different genres, dance, youth-based performances, interactive children’s program, fashion, heritage arts, poetry and much more.

When: Sep. 21
Where: Along H St., NE
Online: hstreetfestival.org

Takoma Park Street Festival
The 38th annual Takoma Park Street Festival will once again host a talented mix of local artists offering paintings, photographs, pottery, silk-screening, bath and body care, stained glass, jewelry, woodworking, textiles, ceramics, kids’ items, and much more. Nonprofits, local companies and a variety of food vendors will also participate. In addition, Takoma’s indie businesses will be open and welcoming visitors.

When: Oct. 6
Where: Along Carroll Ave. (Takoma Park, MD)
Online: mainstreettakoma.org

—Guiomar Ochoa

 

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In honor of its 5th Annual Beauty Week, Whole Foods has released its first-ever top beauty and wellness trend predictions for 2019. The report highlights the company’s global beauty buyers’ and experts’ picks for the coming year and will coincide with the Beauty Week Celebration.

Consumers can shop the trends in store during the sale from Mar. 27 through Apr. 2, where the entire selection of makeup, facial care, hair care, nail polish, perfume and makeup brushes will be 25 percent off—with an additional 10 percent off for Prime members! And starting Friday, Mar. 29, don’t forget to snag one of two limited-edition Beauty Bags (available in limited quantities) for $20 each. Now…onto the trends!

photo: Courtesy of Whole Foods

Superfood Beauty

Superfoods aren’t just for dinner anymore! When it comes to beauty products, Whole Foods predicts green foods like spirulina, avocado, green tea, matcha, kale will take center stage in face masks, body care and hair care. You may also be surprised that functional mushrooms could also find their way to topical beauty products like lotions and cosmetics. 

Beauty from Within

Supplements for beauty continue to gain popularity and essential fatty acids (EFAs) and collagen are super popular in powders, chews and shots. Check out the brand Amazing Grass and its plant-based protein powder, Amazing Protein Glow Chocolate Rose Powder that makes beauty from within easy.

Vegan Cosmetics

With a bigger focus on increased consumer awareness around transparency, the emergence of vegan cosmetics is not a surprise. The increase in quality products is largely in part to improved pigments that last all day and rival traditional makeup brands. Why not go vegan?

photo: Annie Spratt via Unsplash

Sleep Supporters

Aromatherapy, essentials oils, bath bomb and sleep supplements are giving everyone easier access to creating soothing evening routines that promote restful sleep. Warming beverages like #moonmilk and golden milk that find their roots in traditional Chinese and Ayurvedic medicines to support sleep and decrease the effects of stress are also on the rise. Products that contain valerian root powder, passion flower powder, lavender and shea butter are all huge sleep supporters.

Microbiome-Friendly Beauty

Bacteria isn’t all bad, especially when it comes to “good” bacteria that include prebiotic and microbiome-friendly products. Topical beauty brands are taking a foray into low-ingredient recipes that help not to disturb the skin’s good bacteria and help you look your best. Expect to see all kinds of products in this genre, including moisturizers and sunscreen in the coming year.

––Karly Wood

 

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New Yorkers are some of the most adept multi-taskers around, and we apply that skill to child-rearing, too. Come the holidays, that instinct shifts into hyperdrive. Which is why the news that urban market Brooklyn Flea and food extravaganza Smorgasburg are moving inside — to a space attached to food court/beer hall Berg’n in Crown Heights — is cause for celebration. Head here to shop, eat, and drink this holiday season, ’cause there’s something for everyone food and gift-wise, and room for your stroller when you grab a beer.

Interior of Berg’n photo: Mimi O’Connor

What It Is

You’ve probably heard of Brooklyn Flea, a massive outdoor flea market of vintage, handmade and all around groovy merchandise that takes place on Saturdays and Sundays in Fort Greene and Williamsburg, respectively. Its food truck counterpart, Smorgasburg (also well-known), feeds the masses artisanal bites in Williamsburg on Saturdays and Brooklyn Bridge Park on Sundays. The new kid in the Flea empire is Berg’n, a sprawling beer and food hall in Crown Heights, which opened in late August of this year.

 Brooklyn Flea photo: Brooklyn Flea 

What’s Changing (And What’s Not)

For the winter, both the Flea and Smorgasburg have moved inside to 1000 Dean Street, which just so happens to be connected to Berg’n. (We told you this would be easy.) Visitors to the mind-bogglingly large, 30,000-square-foot “Winter Flea” space will find the same collection of vendors, for both merchandise and food, as well as some new sellers.  A short list of the type of gift-worthy items you’ll find here include jewelry, ceramics, home goods, vintage and collectible items, art, body care, herbs and toys and clothes for kids.

Winter Flea vendor Sugar on Snow boots photo: Vivian dos Santos

What’s To Eat

Similarly, familiar foodie favorites and many more will be available at the indoor version of Smorgasburg. Bring your appetite — you can feast on bites from Porchetta, Bite Size Kitchen, Milk Truck Grilled Cheese, Oaxaca Tacos, Red Hook Lobster Pound, Butter & Scotch, Blue Bottle Coffee Company and much, much more.

Smorgasburg photo: Smorgasburg

All About Berg’n

If you’ve shopped ’til you’re about to drop (or maybe want to chill with a snack and a drink) make your way to Berg’n. The massive indoor beer hall and food court features a variety of seating options, from long, communal tables with benches, to individual tables for four, to a handsome bar running the length of one side of the space. (There’s even an outdoor area for when the weather is nice, with window service from Parlor coffee.)

Pizza Moto at Berg’n photo: Berg’n

Ramen Burger photo: Smorgasburg

Berg’n Food & Drink

The food vendors at Berg’n are some of the most popular eats at Smorgasburg. You’ll find gourmet pizzas at Pizza Moto, souped up franks and more from Asia Dog, brisket, pulled pork and the like from Mighty Quinn’s BBQ, and the so-weird it works Ramen Burger (a dressed-up hamburger served on two warm “buns” of ramen noodles) from Ramen Burger. For booze, Berg’n sells a wide range of domestic and imported beers on tap, in bottles and in cans, and wines of the red, white, pink and bubbly variety. They’ve got coffee, juices, non-alcoholic sodas for sale, too.

Berg’n bar photo: Mimi O’Connor

Berg’n Brunch

Berg’n hosts Berg’n Brunch on weekends from 10 a.m. to 4p.m., during which vendors offer items adjusted for a.m. eating. (Think the Ramen Burger take on an egg sandwich, or a sweet slice of pizza. Plus, big doughnuts.) Past brunches have included songs from kiddie cowboy entertainer Hopalong Andrew.

Berg’n photo: Mimi O’Connor

Winter Flea
1000 Dean St.
Crown Heights
Through March
Sat. & Sun., 10 a.m.- 6 p.m.
Online: brooklynflea.com

Berg’n
899 Bergen St.
Crown Heights
Tues.-Sun., 10 a.m. – midnight
718-857-2337
Online: bergn.com

Where do you go to shop, eat and drink? Tell us in the comments below!

—Mimi O’Connor