Klean Kanteen’s classic insulated water bottles are some of the best eco-friendly water bottles out there. Klean Kanteen is a certified B Corp, and all its products are Climate Neutral Certified. They make 12-oz bottles just for kids, or there are a bunch of cap options that fit each bottle, so whether you want to sip, chug, or drink your water through a straw, you can find the right cap for your water bottle. They even sell spill-proof, sippy-cup-style lids!
Start a lunchroom trend with Macrae Skye natural cotton backpacks. They're machine washable, have sturdy drawstrings, and come in the sweetest Hamptons-inspired designs screen printed with water-based, eco-friendly ink. Swap out the flimsy paper bag for a reusable, fun, and eco-friendly alternative!
At school, a great pencil is a necessity. That being said, many pencils are coated in plastic and end up in a landfill. But, there's a better way! When Sprout pencils get too short, you can plant them and watch them grow. Sprout pencils are made from sustainably harvested wood, 100% natural clay and graphite. Depending on which variety you receive, your pencils will grow into flowers, herbs, or vegetables!
You basically have all your kiddo's school supplies in-hand - but you feel like you're forgetting something. We know what it is! With 100% cotton indigo chambray, soft cotton washed denim, and a sherpa lining (in our printed colors), our Biggs Bomber Jacket makes back to school season easy. As part of our quest to transform the the traditionally wasteful fashion industry, our Biggs Bomber Jacket is our go-to for classrooms and playgrounds alike. Explore all of our colors here!
Here, there, and everywhere! We all know how important it is to have those devices charged. This portable charger is made from eco-friendly materials like plant-based resin, and works on iPhone, iPad, and Android devices, and more. Keep it in the center console and ensure your family's tech is charged and ready whenever you need it. Nimble also has a One-For-One Tech Recovery Project. With every Nimble purchase, you get a return envelope so you can send a pound of old or broken electronics to their e-waste recycling partner.
Now that they're heading back to school, let's make them feel special. This sweet dress is made from 100% cotton poplin and comes in the prettiest prints. It has a classic, yet fashion-forward style that blends seamlessly with any of our mix-and-match pieces - and will secretly make all her friends a little jealous. Perfect for girly girls and explorers alike, this dress also has delicate smocking, for the easiest fit. Plus, we've added an extra set of buttons to the straps, so the dress can be lengthened for another year or two of wear. Find your favorite print here!
We're excited to get back in the classroom this year. And our mix-and-match pieces (all in the same color palette) make the transition even easier!
]]>Plastic production kicked off in the early 1900s. We all know how convenient plastic is, but as it became the primary material used for household goods over the past century, it also created problems. Plastic is created from fossil fuels and, while some of it is recyclable, it isn't biodegradable. This means that all the plastic ever produced is still on Earth! According to the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), 300 million tons of plastic are produced worldwide each year. 150 million tons of produced plastic is for single-use items, and most of the total plastic produced won't be recycled. Just how much is 300 million tons? Almost the weight of the entire human population. Yes, for real. Maybe even more shocking? At least 14 million tons of plastic end up in the ocean each year. Hope is always on the horizon, though, and Plastic Free July is just one opportunity to learn about plastic pollution and make changes in our everyday lives.
Plastic Free July was created just over 10 years ago by Rebecca Prince-Ruiz, the founder of the Plastic Free Foundation. Plastic Free July has a simple goal: use July as a month to purposefully make your life more sustainable and educate your circle about plastic pollution. Shop in bulk with your own containers, switch to reusable straws, commit to recycling ... these are just a few ways you can make small changes to your lifestyle in favor of our Earth home!
Getting involved with Plastic Free July is simple! You can click here to officially register for Plastic Free July (any time of year, by the way), and the Plastic Free Foundation will guide you with next steps for as short as a single day, or as long as "From now on"!
Eliminating single-use plastic from your home is easier than you might think. Start small, with the items you use most frequently, like water bottles and single-use coffee cups. Once you're consistent with the basics, look for other changes you can make. Bring your own reusable containers for leftovers when you go out to eat, for example! Remember, little changes add up to make a big difference!
At Macrae Skye, we're continually identifying changes we can make to become more plastic free. Plus, we use plastic free or minimal, 100% recycled PET packaging. We're also dedicated to using our social media platforms, as well as our Macrae Skye blog to encourage you in your sustainability journey.
Here are a few eco-conscious upgrades for your life, hand-picked by Macrae Skye staff!
This dental care set from ByHumankind includes a 2-month supply of toothpaste and mouthwash tablets, a 3-month supply of biodegradable dental floss, and refillable containers. ByHumankind uses carbon-neutral shipping, and you can add a toothbrush to the bundle, too! Subscribe to their refill service to save ten percent.
The Everything Stick can be used anywhere your body needs a little hydrating love: lips, body, under the eyes, you name it! It's made with rosehip oil, vitamin E oil, cacao and shea butters, and marula oil, among other antioxidant rich super ingredients. The paper packaging is fully biodegradable and can be cut up and added to compost!
With six unique designs inspired by the countries our founder has lived in, Macrae Skye's Global Stamp Stationery Sets are essentials for every home office. Designed in collaboration with Emily Taylor, each card is fabulously accented with our signature Aquarius turquoise blue colored foil. When you're finished with these cards (printed on Forest Stewardship Council certified paper), fill the recycled PET box with treasures and trinkets from your travels.
How will you celebrate Plastic Free July?
]]>If you spend time with children regularly, you know that there’s nothing like hearing a genuine laugh of sheer delight and absolute silliness. Waiting in line at your favorite theme park, or sitting around a summer fire, a solid repertoire of jokes for kids is just plain useful. If your kids are old enough to memorize riddles for themselves, they can pull their favorites from this list and crack up their friends (we all know that when kids start telling their own jokes, the odds of them making sense is about 50/50). We rounded up over 40 family-friendly jokes, so you can bookmark this list and keep coming back to it.
The start of a new season means the debut of so much goodness, and the Macrae Skye team loves getting our hands on new finds and familiar essentials (and of course, passing on this crucial knowledge to you—the Macrae Skye Clan).
In the Hamptons, Memorial Day weekend kicks off the summer season, but for those in the know, the 4th of July is the real start of the summer festivities! This year, summer is also extra-special for Macrae Skye, since we opened up our very first storefront in Amagansett a few weeks ago! As we head into the full swing of the season, we want to share a selection of amazing products to put on your shopping list, handpicked by our Macrae Skye Founder, Kim Slicklein.
From a new line of stationery to organic Turkish towels, to family safe tick and bug repellents (that keep those annoying critters literally outta your hair), these must-haves will keep you active and living a beautiful, coastal grandmother dream, all summer long.
Made from 100% eco-friendly materials like recycled plastics or cotton denim, these patent-pending mesh bottom bags by mom-owned brand Of One Sea, are pure genius. Simply unzip the bottom cover and let all the sand, crumbs, and miscellaneous questionable gunk that collects in family beach bags empty out. The tote design even has two different sized sets of straps so little ones can carry the bag, too.
Summertime is all about get togethers, BBQs and pool parties, and a beautifully designed box set of stationery is the perfect hostess gift!
Macrae Skye has just launched two sets of stationery in collaboration with Emily Taylor: the Global Stamp Postcards are hand-drawn vintage stamps from the US, England, Scotland, The Netherlands, South Africa, and India—shimmering with gold foil detail and die-cut edges, and another set showing off our Local Hamptons Collection featuring Amagansett, East Hampton, Montauk, Sag Harbor and Napeague.
The stationery is printed on Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified paper and encased in a recycled PET box.
The sets are great as gifts, but they are so pretty that you’ll want them for yourself. They are perfect for thank you cards, birthday cards, or even for a special note to a friend. Macrae Skye stationery is available online and at our Amagansett store. Click here to purchase online, or visit us in-person. We’d love to see you!
Reef-Safe, Eco-Friendly Sunscreen for the Whole Fam
Before you hit the beach, say goodbye to sunscreens with harsh chemicals that pollute the ocean, beach, and your skin! Woman-founded Supergoop!’s PLAY Everyday Lotion is here to save the day. Bonus: it smells soooooo good! This SPF 50 lotion absorbs easily into skin (read: isn’t sticky), so kids don’t mind it as much. It also comes in a family-friendly pump size, so you won’t run out of sunscreen after a single day on the water.
Klean Kanteen’s classic insulated water bottles are some of the best eco-friendly water bottles out there. Klean Kanteen is a certified B Corp, and all its products are Climate Neutral Certified. They make 12-oz bottles just for kids, or there are a bunch of cap options that fit each bottle, so whether you want to sip, chug, or drink your water through a straw, you can find the right cap for your water bottle. They even sell spill-proof, sippy-cup-style lids!
Whether it’s a picnic, or a day on the boat, sand-resistant, quick-drying Sand Cloud towels are perfect for any adventure. All the towels are made from organic Turkish cotton, and Sand Cloud lives up to its Shark Tank hype. Their towels are light and compact, and sand shakes right off of them!
Green Toys are made in the USA, and have been making safe and eco-friendly toys for kids since 2008. Using 100% recycled materials (mostly post-consumer milk cartons), packaged in recyclable cardboard, and printed with soy-based inks, Green Toys are truly committed to manufacturing eco-friendly products! This play set is perfect for keeping kids busy and engaged on all those beach adventures.
A Great, Natural Tick and Bug Repellent
Want to avoid DEET and picaridin? This Repel spray is for you. Consumer Reports independently lab-tested a ton of popular insect repellent products and gives it a 5/5 score for its protection against both mosquitoes and deer ticks — seriously impressive for a DEET-free spray! Just remember to reapply every 6 hours or so.
Plastic-Free Lunchboxes for the Kids
Most lunch boxes designed for kids are made with unsustainable materials, and even materials that aren’t the best for food! But this Planet Box is stainless steel. It even comes with two leak-proof containers that have food-grade silicone lids so you can pack up liquids or wet foods.
Micro Kickboard is already known for their awesome rides and hand-me-down durability. Now, they have a new line of scooters, made from recycled fishing nets! First, the nets, ropes, and other fishing gear is collected. Then, they’re transformed into recycled plastic raw material. Finally, the recycled plastic is used for the new Mini Micro ECO! We love the sustainable step this company is taking.
So, with the 4th of July weekend upon us, fire up the grill, deck your homes in red, white, and blue, and stock up on essentials you can use now and all season long!
]]>At Macrae Skye, Earth Day is one of our favorite days of the year! Earth Day is a global holiday that celebrates something truly extraordinary: our planet. It also commemorates the birth of the modern environmental and sustainability movements and is the biggest non-religious holiday observed around the world, celebrated by over one billion people every year!
As lovers of history, we want to share the story of Earth Day with you.
In the 1960s, most of the United States (and the world) wasn’t attuned to the changing needs of our planet. Post-World Wars, our country ran headfirst into the Second Industrial Revolution with payrolls increasing by over 30%—the largest growth in jobs of any decade during the postwar period! Everything grew in scale and was centered around an economic and industrial model based on large factories and mass production. Amid our country’s population boom, American families were buying cars, building homes, and had more purchasing power than ever before. As envisioned by industry titans like Henry Ford, the development of new technologies (including early Artificial Intelligence) fueled by organizational models of production, forever changed the American economic landscape.
Naturally, who wanted to worry about the environment when so much money was being made?! It’s around this time that the phrase “tree hugger” made its way into popular culture as “anti-capitalist”. Nevertheless, environmentalists like Rachel Carson continued to push onward. Carson set the stage for the sustainability movement that Macrae Skye is proud to be a part of with her best selling book, Silent Spring. It was released in the early ‘60s, focusing on the chemical pesticide DDT and its impact on bird habitats. Her work served as a catalyst for raising awareness around environmental pollutants, and more careful consideration for our planet.
Propelled forward by Silent Spring and major environmental crises like the 1969 Santa Barbara oil spill, United States Senator Gaylord Nelson (with the help of countless friends!) was inspired to celebrate this newfound devotion to our planet. Not only that, he wanted to create national policy around the eagerness he saw. Senator Nelson and his friends took over a year to plan the very first Earth Day, and on April 22, 1970, twenty million Americans rallied in different cities all over the country. They demonstrated against oil spills, wildlife extinction and decreasing biodiversity, high polluting factories and power plants, toxic dumps, pesticides, and even highways.
It was a huge success! The incredible participation in Earth Day led to the creation of the Endangered Species Act, the Clean Water/Clean Air Act, and Environmental Protection Agency and many more. The environmental movement had gained tremendous traction, and longer lasting, more impactful change was on the horizon!
By the early 1990s, environmental advocacy leaders felt called to rally—not just the United States—but the world! With the help of Denis Hayes, co-coordinator for the first Earth Day, they campaigned for recycling and other important initiatives at the 1992 United Nations Earth Summit. This showed people around the world that Earth Day had the potential to create significant change on a global scale.
In 2000, hundreds of thousands of activists gathered on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. for a rally with a clear message: we have to protect our planet!
In 2010, 250,000 people again rallied on the National Mall for our climate. The world’s largest environmental service project, A Billion Acts of Green, was born! This, in turn, inspired The Canopy Project, a worldwide tree planting campaign that continues to make a positive impact on forests in 192 countries.
Now, Earth Day is the biggest non-religious holiday observed around the world, celebrated by over a billion people every year! Here are 3 of our favorite Earth Day facts:
It is 2022, and while we have come so far, there is still so much work yet to be done!
On this meaningful day, we would like to spotlight our founder, Kim Slicklein.
Kim—social entrepreneur, life-long humanitarian and mother of two—is the inspirational business mind behind Macrae Skye. As an expert with more than 20+ years of experience in sustainability and social enterprise, Kim combined her passion for both to create Macrae Skye—a children’s sustainable and circular clothing line to help drive change in the apparel industry.
Macrae Skye’s designs are inspired by Kim’s experiences living around the world with her husband and children; her love of travel; and her belief that companies have a responsibility to drive positive change.
As a mother, she recognized how quickly her children grew out of clothing and was inspired to create Tomorrow Skye—the non-profit arm of Macrae Skye—to reduce waste while helping women and children in domestic abuse shelters. The process is simple: Tomorrow Skye collects gently used clothing from all brands and then redistributes them to those met with the most unimaginable circumstances.
To ensure clothing is matched to those most affected, Macrae Skye has partnered with the largest national network of domestic abuse shelters, WIN (Women in Need), as well as local partners including The Safe Center, The Retreat, and Brighter Tomorrows.
Kim has been recognized internationally as a Young Global Leader by The World Economic Forum, and as a World Saver by Conde Nast Traveler for her proven track record of substantial leadership and extraordinary achievement, and her commitment to serve society at large through exceptional contributions.
In honor of International Women’s Day, Kim and the team at Macrae Skye would like to acknowledge all women who pioneer change, create opportunities for inclusivity, and galvanize a future primed for progress. Perhaps more importantly, Macrae Skye is a company that supports female empowerment and champions the dreams and aspirations of all young girls—around the world—who will someday become mighty and powerful women too.
]]>
Sensory processing disorder (SPD) is a condition where a person has troubling processing stimulation. The person suffering from SPD can be hypersensitive to sound, sight and touch. Five to 16 percent of school-aged children suffer from this sort of sensory overload, which can affect one or more senses.
It’s very important that children suffering from SPD live in environments that support their needs and come in contact with items that texturally are soft and smooth to the touch. Clothing is a serious consideration when it comes to children with sensory processing disorder. Tactile sensitivities can make a child feel both physically and mentally uncomfortable, so irritants such as tags, rigid seams and textured fabrics are a no-go.
What are the signs of SPD regarding clothing?
If you’ve ever had a standoff with your child over getting dressed, you know the challenges that come with parenting. Getting your child dressed can be one of the most difficult things to do.
It’s normal for kids to fight back when it comes to getting dressed. But sometimes the push-back you get as a parent when your child doesn’t want to put on clothes could be something more serious.
Warning signs that your child might have sensory issues usually come in the form of verbalization. Words and phrases like “this shirt hurts” or “my legs are stinging from these pants” or “this shirt is itchy” or “my sweater is scratchy” can be signs that there is something more serious going on. Of course, there is the occasional dressing drama where just about anything is uttered in defense of getting dressed. But be mindful of adjectives consistently being used like “burns”, “stings”, “itches”, and “hurts”.
How to dress a child with sensory sensitivities
If creating a special environment for a child with sensory issues is important, imagine how important it is to dress them in something they feel really comfortable in.
At Macrae Skye, we know the importance of creating clothing that is texturtally appropriate. Every piece of clothing we make takes into account children struggling with sensory issues. That’s why we’ve sourced some of the finest, softest, organic cotton on the planet. Also, each piece is created with soft seams for little to no skin agitation.
We also don’t add annoying tags to our clothing. Tags can be agitating to children, even those not suffering from SPD which is why we use heat-transfer labels that are printed directly onto the fabric. Neck labels, tags and abrasive fabrics can wreak havoc for your child, so we take every precaution to ensure that your little one is wearing something they feel truly comfortable in.
Have more of a capsule-style wardrobe, so everything matches easily
Having a capsule of basics and fun prints can help to put together outfits. For example, our Vintage Caden Tee can be paired with so many pants like our Ryno Joggers or even jeans. In fact, most of the Macrae Skye pieces can be mixed and matched interchangeably, making early morning clothing choices a cinch!
Although trendy outfits can be (super) fun, having basics that you can pair with many outfits makes mornings so much easier. Make their clothes work harder for them!
Develop a solid morning routine (and stick to it)
Having a morning routine is helpful to both you and your children. Establishing a wake-up time, dress time, breakfast time, etc., helps your kids know what is expected of them.
Lay out their clothes the night before
Kids can be indecisive, so this is a great tip to a successful (and stress free) morning. Include them in the process so that they think they are making the selections.
Lay out clothing options the night before to reduce any last-minute outfit drama. Then all they need to do in the morning is grab the outfit they chose and get dressed. No questions asked!
Pro tip: plan out the outfit head to toe, right down to the socks.
Avoid outfit mishaps, have them try the outfit in advance
Let's face it; kids can be picky sometimes with their outfits. To reduce outfit rejection, make sure everything fits/ looks good. Have them try the outfit on in advance.
You can't go wrong with our Skye Jumpsuit and matching mask! Make it a mini fashion show, and have them show off their outfit to make sure they look and feel great.
No outfit is complete without a mask. Macrae Skye offers several masks in colorful hand-drawn designs, each one matching our beautiful pieces. Even better, buy one mask and we'll donate two more: one to a mother and one to a child living in one of our partner domestic abuse shelters.
Have shoes and jacket near the front door
Running around for that last-minute favorite shoe or jacket is never fun. Instead, try setting out shoes and any needed jackets the night before (that match their outfit, of course!). This way, when you're ready to head out the door, it's right there and they can quickly put their shoes and jacket on. Make sure to wear the best selling Biggs Bomber Jacket for layering while remaining cute and cozy.
This works for adults too. To eliminate an even more stressful morning, plan your drop-off/ work outfit the night before as well. This way, you can wake up, get dressed, and focus on everything else that needs to get done in the morning.
In the morning, make getting dressed a game
If there's one thing kids love, it's games! Tell your kids in the morning that you want to have a contest with them. The competition is to see who can get dressed in under a minute. If they win, you can offer them a small reward or praise them (a high-five or telling them a good job will do the trick).
While not every morning will be perfect, it can be a lot smoother with a solid morning routine and clearly defined structure. Macrae Skye is excited to be a part of your morning routine! Be sure to check us out for all your kids' clothing needs for the most trendy and adorable pieces. Shop HERE!
Going back to school marks a milestone in your child’s life. They are growing older and getting bigger, but they are also developing more into the person they will become.
One of the most exciting parts about going back to school is buying back to school clothes!
Back to school shopping is a great time to spend time with your little one(s). This is also a special time to guide them with how they want to express themselves through their clothing choices. It’s no secret that when you look good, you feel good, and when you feel good, you succeed!
What is sustainable clothing?
Another way to set your kids up for success in this world is to educate them about the importance of ethically-made, sustainable clothing.
These days, the little ones deeply care about the environment and feel a responsibility to protect it - why not nurture that curiosity beginning with what they wear every day.
Sustainable clothing is clothing that has been made in a mindful way. The movement of sustainable fashion encourages clothing to be made in a way that minimizes environmental damage, is created in a setting where people are treated safely and fairly, and waste and pollution is kept at a minimum.
There are a few different ways to shop sustainably. When many people think about what it means to shop sustainable, the first answer is thrifting.
Thrift shopping reduces the amount of waste by recycling the clothing. But it also reduces the carbon footprint in terms of manufacturing. Thrifting is a win-win for both the consumer and the environment.
Where to buy sustainable clothing?
It seems like with each passing year there are more stores to buy sustainable clothing. However, far and few tend to make sustainable kid’s clothing. Here at Macrae Skye, you will find beautifully designed pieces with purpose.
We source fabrics that are better for the environment and create better lives for the people who make them.
Get the look with Macrae Skye
Take a look at some of our best selling sustainable kid’s clothing that is perfect for back to school below:
Snap Front Skirt + Greta Tee in Salt Marsh
Biggs Bomber Jacket + Pixie Dress in Navy Elephant
Hooded Poppy Sweatshirt + Ryno Jogger for Boys
Hooded Poppy Sweatshirt + Ryno Jogger for Girls
About the Tomorrow Skye Program
Kids are always growing, which means there is always a lot of waste, and that is why we have set up the Tomorrow Skye program. Click here for more information. Simply send us your unwanted clothing and we will donate on your behalf and send you credit towards a future purchase. At Macrae Skye, we believe everything comes full circle.
Did you know that the average American now generates 82 pounds of textile waste each year? That adds up to more than 11 million tons of textile waste from the U.S. alone.
We need to do better - and Macrae Skye has a creative solution.
Designed to remove clothing waste, while helping others in need, we have developed a new method for encouraging worn and used clothing to have a second life through our Tomorrow Skye program.
Tomorrow Skye is simple - anyone who wants to participate can ship worn pieces to Macrae Skye and we will donate them to children in crisis in our partner domestic abuse shelters.
We have already donated more than twelve (12!!) truckloads of clothing, books, food, and toys to children and women in need! And this is only the beginning...
Our current partners include WIN, The Retreat, The Safe Center and Brighter Tomorrows. These are inspiring organizations that constantly help so many women and children across the United States.
So what’s in it for you? Well, you get rid of your unwanted kid’s clothing, help a family in need, and as a big thank you, we will send you a 20% credit towards your next purchase with us! This is a huge win-win-win, and with your help we can reduce the amount of textile waste per year.
To donate your kid’s excess or used clothing, you can ship freshly washed, gently used children's clothing to Macrae Skye’s sorting facility:
MACRAE SKYE
81 Newtown Lane
PMB 162
East Hampton, New York 11937
Please sign in and share your email address and once we receive your package, we will issue you a 20% credit.
]]>