When I started using anti-aging products in my 20s, before a single wrinkle had appeared, I did it all wrong. I purchased products for mature skin believing that the extra-strength would be extra-effective in preventing aging but instead I burned myself with retinoids and peels and caused break out after break out with deep moisturizing creams and night masks. At around age 30, I made a switch to natural skincare and my skin started improving. Now in my late thirties, I’ve found a routine that works and although my skin isn’t perfect, I never could have believed it would look this healthy at my age.

That’s me on the left at 27 and me on the right at age 37, earlier this year!

I organized all my favorite vegan skincare products in my Amazon Store if you’d like to check out the full list but I figured I’d share a more condensed list of the current products in my daily and weekly routine here. Included are cleansers, moisturizers and products that target signs of aging like wrinkles, sagging, puffiness and redness.

All of the items listed below are cruelty-free and made with vegan ingredients. I love them all and think you will too!

Morning:

1. Andalou Naturals “1000 Roses” Cleansing Foam
This foaming face wash with rose stem cells is perfect for sensitive skin. I’ve used this product for years and love its subtle smell rose and how it leaves my skin feeling soft- not stripped.
view on Amazon

2. Andalou Naturals “1000 Roses” Floral Toner Spray
I use this spray with rose stem cells on my face after cleaning and before applying face or eye cream. In addition to the soothing rosewater, it is made with pomegranate, hyaluronic acid & aloe vera to moisturize, uplift and tone skin. I discovered it several years ago and have used it almost every day since!
view on Amazon

3. The Body Shop “Drops of Youth” Youth Concentrate
The gel-like serum that is formulated with 3 different types of plant cells has helped me prevent and eliminate dry patches on my face. I include it with my morning skincare, applying 2-3 drops before applying moisturizer.
view on Amazon

4. Andalou Naturals “1000 Roses” Beautiful Day Cream
I have used this day cream on and off for years and always go back to it. It is light, soothing on sensitive skin, affordable and smells so delicious.
view on Amazon

5. The Body Shop “Oils of Life” Intensely Revitalizing Eye Cream-Gel
I bought this product on a whim years ago at The Body Shop and fell in love with it! The “cream-gel” consistency is perfect- it feels cool when applying, absorbs quickly and moisturizes deeply with 3 types of seed oils. This is my favorite daytime eye cream!
view on Amazon

6. Supergoop! Defense Refresh Setting Mist SPF 50
We all know it: protecting our skins when in the sun is essential to help prevent lines, wrinkles and of course, skin cancer. This spray provides that sun protection, sets your makeup, smells refreshing (rosemary & peppermint) and helps prevent shine!
view on Amazon

Night:

7. Indie Lee Brightening Cleanser
This brightening face wash helps remove any makeup left behind at night, smooths uneven skin texture and leaves my face feeling baby soft! It is formulated with strawberry seed oil, hydrolyzed wheat protein and tomato extracts to help strengthen, firm and protect skin.
view on Amazon

8. Dr. Dennis Gross Ferulic Acid + Retinol Wrinkle Recovery Overnight Serum
I use a few pumps of this overnight serum every other night. When I started using it a few years ago (in addition to the Retinol Peel below), it noticeably diminished the wrinkles in my forehead and between my brows. Highly recommend!
view on Amazon

9. Glow Recipe Watermelon Sleeping Mask
This popular sleeping mask really does live up to its hype! The (gel-like) texture is cool and soothing, the smell is incredible and the results are visible. Made with watermelon, hyaluronic acid and AHAs, it deeply hydrates and smooths skin overnight.
view on Amazon

10. Derma E Firming DMAE Eye Lift
This affordable lightweight cream helps to lift, firm and tighten the area around my eyes with DMAE, goji berry peptides and hyaluronic acid. If you’re looking for an inexpensive anti-aging eye product, I’d definitely recommend giving this one a try!
view on Amazon

Treatment:

11. Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Universal Beta Peel
This cruelty-free at home daily peel improves uneven tone and texture, fine lines and wrinkles and enlarged pores. Using this product dramatically improved my skin’s texture! I use it about 2 times a week and after each use, my skin is left bright, smooth and glowing. This products come in regular, gentle or extra-strength (my preference). This a vegan beauty must-have!
view on Amazon

12. Dr. Gross Hyaluronic Acid & Retinol Peels
This is the most effective anti-aging product I have ever used! There is no sting or feeling of a peel when you use them but you can immediately see the results. Fine lines are diminished and they leave your face looking firm and glowing. I use them once or twice a week.
view on Amazon

13. The Body Shop Youth Concentrate Sheet Mask
This mask rejuvenates skin in 15 minutes with 3 types of plant stem cells! I discovered this product last winter when my face was feeling extremely dehydrated and it saved my skin after just one use! Tip: I’ve found that there is always extra serum left behind in the packaging after applying the mask. Make sure to use this serum on your neck, elbows and knees!
view on Amazon

14. Sunday Riley Juno Antioxidant and Superfood Face Oil
I love using this facial oil to massage my face with Gua Sha massage stones (see below!). The oil is formulated with antioxidants, vitamins, essential amino acids, Omegas 3-6-9 and skin soothing botanicals. Just a few drops immediately hydrates and feels so luxurious on your face!
view on Amazon

15. Rose Quartz Gua Sha Face Massaging Stones
Gua sha is a traditional Chinese healing technique that involves scraping with massage tools to promote better circulation and drainage of fluids that cause puffiness in the face and neck. I use a few drops of the Sunday Riley Juno oil (above) with this rose quartz set to massage my face and neck and it definitely helps reduce puffiness around my eyes and jawline. It also feels amazing!
view on Amazon

1. Cruelty-Free Kitchen

1. Art of Lunch Reusable Sandwich & Snack Bags
Reduce plastic waste with these adorable reusable bags. Art of Lunch is made by a company called Art of Liv’n that partners with artists around the world. This colorful design was illustrated by Danny Ivan, a young artist from Portugal! The bags are easy to clean in the dishwasher, BPA-free, PVC-free and phthalate-free.
view on Amazon

2. Stainless Steel Straws Set
Eliminate plastic straws from your kitchen cabinet with this straw set by Mudder. The perfect gift for smoothie and juice lovers!
view on Amazon

3. Cuisinart Smart Stick Immersion Blender
This immersion blender is a kitchen essential! I’ve used this model for years for smoothies, sauces, soups and sides.
view on Amazon

4. Ninja Professional Blender
This blender has amazing value for its affordable price. It has nearly flawless reviews on Amazon praising its performance crushing ice and pureeing whole fruits and vegetables. All parts are BPA-free and dishwasher safe!
view on Amazon

5. Breville Juice Fountain Elite
Like the Ninja Professional Blender, this juicer by Breville has excellent reviews. It is powerful (heavy 1000-watt motor), beautiful (chic die-cast steel) and easy to clean (all parts except mesh basket are dishwasher safe).
view on Amazon

6. SodaStream Fountain Jet Sparkling Water Maker
Never buy sparkling water again with this sparkling water machine! In seconds, turn flat water into sparkling in reusable BPA-free containers.
view on Amazon

7. Phoney Baloney’s Coconut Bacon
This delicious coconut bacon is hand-made in CA. If you haven’t tried coconut bacon before, push past your skepticism and trust me- it is SO good. It’s crispy, salty, smoky and perfect on everything from sandwiches and salads to ice cream and cupcakes!
view on Amazon

8. Lagusta’s Luscious
Lagusta’s Luscious is the ultimate vegan chocolate shop. Their chocolates “combine a deep commitment to social justice, environmentalism and animal rights with the love of bold flavor of a true foodie and the obsessive commitment to artisan techniques of a chocolatier”. These are the best chocolates I’ve ever had, including chocolates I loved in my vegetarian years. Coconut milk caramels in decadent flavors like Rosemary Sea Salt and Strawberry Balsamic, Peppermint patties, chocolate truffles, gorgeous barks, bonbons and more.
view the Lagusta’s Luscious site

9. The Oh She Glows Cookbook
This is one of my favorite cookbooks! I love it so much that I bought it for everyone in my family last year. They’re all omnivores and they all LOVE the recipes in the book. The dishes are delicious, healthy, beautiful and easy to approach for new vegans or meat-eaters!
view on Amazon

10. TofuXpress Tofu Press
My sister gifted me this tofu press last year and it changed my life- really! Simply place a block of tofu in the press and in a few hours, you have perfectly pressed firm tofu ready to stir-fry or bake. Even better- the press also doubles as a marinating dish!
view on Amazon

11. Miyoko’s Kitchen
Miyoko’s Kitchen makes incredible artisan cultured vegan cheeses that can be shipped across the country. Vegan mozzarella, chive double cream, Mt. Vesuvius black ash cream, aged English sharp farmhouse and more.
visit the Miyoko’s Kitchen site

12. Vegan Richa’s Indian Kitchen Cookbook
Learn how to make flavorful Indian dals, curries, flatbreads and sides with this cookbook by award-winning recipe developer Richa Hingle.
view on Amazon

13. Thug Kitchen: Eat Like You Give a F*ck Cookbook
This cookbook is the first in the best-selling Thug Kitchen series. Don’t get distracted by the foul-mouthed language and categories like “Big Ass Cup of Cozy”, “Short Order Shit” and “Burritos, Bowls and Other Bomb-Ass Meals”- this cookbook is full of amazing recipes like smoky black-eyed peas with roasted sweet potatoes and collards, corn and basil chowder, roasted sriracha cauliflower bites with peanut dipping sauce and banana cream pie.
view on Amazon

14. Stainless Steel Bottle Water Bottles
These adorable water bottles keep drinks cold for up to 9 hours and hot for up to 18 hours! They are BPA-free, lightweight, scratch resistant and come in a variety of pretty colors.
view on Amazon

15. Sweet Maresa Macarons
These vegan macarons are even better than the traditional French macarons I fell in love with years ago. Their beautiful vegan meringue shells are are light, delicate, and moist and they are filled with the most mouth-watering buttercream or ganache. Before they became available in NYC (at Confectionery in the East Village) this year, I would drive almost 2 hours to get them- they are THAT good! Some of my favorite flavors: rose, vanilla, lavender, matcha, jasmine, almond and absinthe.
visit the Sweet Maresa Shop on Lagusta’s Luscious’ site
 

2. Plant-Based Beauty:

1. Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Universal Beta Peel
This cruelty-free at home daily peel improves uneven tone and texture, fine lines and wrinkles and enlarged pores. Using this product has dramatically improved my skin’s texture! I use it about 2 times a week and after each use, my skin is left bright, smooth and glowing. This a vegan beauty must-have!
view on Amazon

2. Deborah Lippmann Creme Nail Polish, “Shape of My Heart”
Deborah Lippmann’s nail polishes are vegan, 7-free and cruelty-free! I’m obsessed with her creme polishes’ long-lasting wear and vibrant color.
view on Amazon

3. Deborah Lippmann Addicted to Speed Ultra Quick-Dry Top Coat
This shiny top coat is long-lasting and chip-resistant!
view on Amazon

4. Pacifica Solar Complete Mineral Palette
This gorgeous vegan palette contains eye shadows, blush, bronzer and coconut highlighters! Perfect for a cruelty-free beauty lover.
view on Amazon

5. Pacifica Mediterranean Fig Perfume
This perfume’s scent is amazing- subtle, sexy and comforting. When I wear it, it gives me the feeling of being curled up under a blanket on a rainy day! The best part: It’s all natural (made with essential oils), cruelty-free and 100% vegan.
view on Amazon

6. The Compassionate Chick’s Guide to DIY Beauty
This book is a perfect gift for someone who loves cruelty-free all-natural beauty products! It contains 125 DIY recipes for vegan, gluten-free, cruelty-free makeup, skin & hair products using simple ingredients like essential oils, cider vinegar, cocoa butter, green tea, salts and vitamin E oil.
view on Amazon

7. Supergoop! Everyday Sunscreen
Protect your precious skin with this oil-free, allergy-free, cruelty-free SPF 50 sunscreen.
view on Amazon

8. Tarte Matte Waterproof Bronzer, “Park Ave. Princess”
This matte bronzer creates an instant glow and warmth on your face that lasts all day. You can also use it contour and sculpt! The formula is infused with vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, water and clay to improve skin clarity.
view on Amazon

9. Supergoop! Forever Young SPF 40 Hand Cream with Sea Buckthorn
The hand cream absorbs quickly, brightens and improves skin’s texture and prevents sun damage. The small size is perfect for throwing in your bag for on the go.
view on Amazon

10. Real Techniques Core Collection Makeup Brush Set
This company makes the most amazing cruelty-free makeup brushes- better than any expensive makeup brushes I’ve ever used! The synthetic taklon bristles are SO much better than real hair- they’re less prone to breakage and non-porous which means they don’t trap or absorb product, bacteria or skin cells.
view on Amazon

11. Beauty Without Cruelty Rosemary Mint Tea Tree Shampoo
This refreshing plant-based shampoo restores body and shine while promoting a healthy scalp! The formula uses organic essential oils, vitamins and sea minerals.
view on Amazon

12. Beauty Without Cruelty Rosemary Mint Tea Tree Conditioner
This conditioner uses natural plant proteins, moisturizers, vitamins and essential oils to strengthen and protect hair. Reviewers LOVE the smell!
view on Amazon

13. MyChelle Beauty Set
This vegan set contains 3 of MyChelle’s best sellers. The Perfect C Serum uses Vitamin C and Buddleja Plant Stem Cells to brighten, protect against photo-damage, and prevent visible aging. Fight wrinkles with their Remarkable Retinal Serum, which is formulated with Retinaldehyde, Ceramide 3 and Plant Stem Cells and protect your skin with their Sun Shield SPF 28, which contains aloe to rehydrate skin after sun exposure.
view on MyChelle’s site

14. tarte Rainforest of the Sea Quench Lip Rescue, “Rose”
This is my new favorite lip product! It’s a moisturizing lip balm that is infused with antioxidants, vitamins and essential oils. It comes in 4 sheer, high-shine colors leave your lips looking perfectly dewy.
view on Sephora

15. tarte Rainforest of the Sea Quench Lip Rescue, “Berry”
A darker version of my favorite lip balm!
view on Sephora
 

3. Rescue, Shelter & Sanctuary Support

1. Adopt an Animal at Woodstock Farm Sanctuary
Donating or “adopting” an animal at a sanctuary in someone’s name is, in my opinion, one of the best gifts you can give to an ethical vegan! The feeling of knowing that an animal in need is getting help in your name is unbeatable. Take a few minutes to learn about Woodstock Farm Sanctuary and you’ll see why I’m passionate about encouraging people to support this sanctuary. They are doing so much wonderful, hard work for voiceless animals who are rescued from cases of abuse, neglect and abandonment. Sponsor an animal for as little as a month or if you’d like to sponsor an animal for a year, your gift recipient will receive a card with your chosen animal’s name, picture and story.
visit Woodstock Farm Sanctuary’s site

2. Make a Donation to Animal Haven
Animal Haven in a nonprofit organization that finds homes for abandoned cats and dogs throughout the Tri-State area. Follow their social media pages to keep up with their heart-warming success stories and upport Animal Haven by making a donation in someone’s name this year!
visit Animal Haven’s site

3. Pig Pillow Supporting Farm Sanctuary
The purchase of this adorable pig pillow supports another incredible sanctuary! Farm Sanctuary has 2 locations in California (Los Angeles & Orland) and one in Watkins Glenn, NY. They’ve rescued and cared for thousands of animals since opening in 1986. They have an amazing online store that supports their sanctuaries with lot of great gift ideas. This pillow features two of their adorable pigs, Anna and Maybelle.
view on the Farm Sanctuary site

4. Do unto Animals Notebooks Supporting Farm Sanctuary
This notebook set made exclusively for Farm Sanctuary’s online shop features the beautiful artwork from from Tracey Stewart’s book Do Unto Animals.
view on the Farm Sanctuary site

5. Farm Sanctuary 2017 Calendar
Get inspired by a different rescued animal every month! Each month features a beautiful portrait and story of a Farm Sanctuary resident.
view on the Farm Sanctuary site

6. Goats of Anarchy: Goats Just Want to Have Fun Book
This book is SUCH a great gift idea for animal lovers. It tells the inspirational story of an NYC event planner (Leanne Lauricella) who left the city to follow her dreams and create a sanctuary for special needs goats. After taking in her first goats, her friend recommended that she join Instagram so she created a page and posted her first picture of one of her goats. The adorable picture went viral, got over 30,000 likes in one day and brought massive attention to her little sanctuary. In just about a year, her account has grown to almost 350k followers! If you don’t follow them on Instagram already, visit their page right now to see why it is so popular. I happy-cried just today watching one of her goats run and jump for the first time on her new prosthetic!
view on Amazon

7. Make a Donation or Buy Gifts That Support Badass Brooklyn Animal Rescue
I absolutely love everything about this animal rescue! These amazing people work to rescue dogs from high kill, rural shelters in the southern U.S. and help get them adopted into loving homes. Follow them on social media to keep up with their feel-good adoption stories and updates about dogs in their forever homes! To support Badass while gifting, make a donation in someone’s name or purchase items like t-shirts, doggie shirts, totes and tank tops from their online store.
view the Badass Brooklyn Animal Rescue site
 

4. Vegan Fashion

1. Cruelty-Free Sweatshirt
This comfy sweatshirt is chic, simple and perfect for anyone who leads a cruelty-free lifestyle!
view on Zazzle

2. Matt & Nat Demi Crossbody Bag in Black
Matt & Nat is an amazing Canadian company that creates beautiful handbags without the use of any leather or animal-based materials.  They live up to their motto “live beautifully” with their gorgeous line of bags and accessories made with sustainable materials, lined with nylon created with 100% recycled plastic bottles. This crosssbody handbag, the Demi from their Dwell Collection, is the perfect size and weight for a woman on the go! I have it in white and absolutely love its chic style and simplicity.
view on Matt & Nat site

3. Happy Socks (Snakeskin)
Happy Socks make the cutest cotton socks for men and women, like these no-snakes-harmed snakeskin socks!
view on Happy Socks site

4. Happy Socks (Gray with Black Triangles)
Another adorable pair from Happy Socks!
view on Happy Socks site

5. Matt & Nat Brave Backpack in Black
I see this Brave backpack all around the city on the chicest young women! Perfect for fitting everything you need for the day without putting strain on one side.
view on Matt & Nat site

6. Matt & Nat Abiko Clutch in Curry
The Abiko clutch from Matt & Nat is the perfect size bag for a date night or dinner with friends. It comes in 5 classic colors including this gorgeous “Curry”.
view on Matt & Nat site

7. Happy Socks (leopard spots)
Another gray and black sock combo from Happy Socks: leopard spots.
view on Happy Socks site

8. Matt & Nat Hall Oxfords in Black
Matt & Nat introduced their eco-friendly, cruelty-free, vegan shoe line this year and it sold out almost immediately! Pick up a pair of the chicest cruelty-free shoes, like these amazing Hall flatform oxfords from their Wander Collection before they’re gone.
view on Matt & Nat site

9. Matt & Nat Coen Messenger Bag in Black
This classic messenger in black is ideal if you’re looking for a cruelty-free work bag!
view on Matt & Nat site

10. Stella McCartney White Falabella Box Alter Croc Shoulder Bag in Ivory
This bag is the one big splurge in my vegan gift guide! Stella McCartney has the most beautiful collection of high-end vegan handbags! Fashionistas adore them without even knowing that they’re wearing cruelty-free items! Even though her line doesn’t scream “vegan” or “eco-friendly” in its marketing materials (like my favorite handbag company Matt & Nat), I love how she’s sneaking cruelty-free fashion into the mainstream. This Falabella Box Alter Croc Shoulder Bag in Ivory is my pick for a splurge fashion gift for cruelty-free friends and family.
view on Stella McCartney site

11. Pet Studio Art Goat Tote
These adorable tote animals feature rescued animals painted by Pet Studio Art owner and artist Stephanie Conrad. This one features Walter, a goat from one of the animal rescues she supports!
view on Amazon

12. Pet Studio Art Pig Tote
Another cute tote: this one features Nathan the pig!
view on Amazon
 

5. Peaceful Yogi

1. Maxx Studio Faux Fur Throw
I own this throw and it is my favorite blanket to wrap myself in on chilly nights. So soft and cozy!
view on Amazon

2. DoTERRA Diffuser
I use this DoTERRA diffuser every day and night, at work and at home.  My favorite essential oils to diffuse are equal parts lavender and peppermint, which help me to relax, maintain focus, feel refreshed and breathe better than ever. I’ve also gifted this diffuser to several people and it’s always a success!
view on Amazon

3. DoTERRA Essential Oils Set
This essential oil set contains 3 of DoTERRA’s best sellers and includes my 2 favorites: lavender and peppermint! I’ve used many other essential oils and the past and DoTERRA’s are the best by far. They are 100% pure, without any extra ingredients and are thoroughly tested using the strict Certified Pure Therapeutic Grade quality protocol.
view on Amazon

4. Roleo Deep Tissue Massager for Hands, Wrists, Arms and Forearms
This massager changed my life! For years, I’ve suffered from wrist pain that worsens depending on the weather, how much I’ve been playing my instruments (violin, guitar, piano) and how much yoga I’ve been doing. I found this product on Amazon last year when trying to find some sort of wrist brace or pad and am SO happy I took the chance on it. It doesn’t look like much but it helps relieve me of pain that I thought could never be remedied! Put your hand through into the contraption and roll it back and forth from your hand to your forearm and the trigger point rollers massage away tension in minutes. This is a perfect unexpected gift for a yogi, musician or anyone who suffers from arthritis or carpal tunnel.
view on Amazon

5. Zafu Yoga Meditation Pillow by Bean Products
Bean Products make these Zafu Yoga Mediation Pillows in a array of beautiful colors. They’re made with eco-friendly cotton and hemp and are filled with organic buckwheat from the USA.
view on Amazon

6. Blissoma Yoga Mat Cleaner
This certified vegan yoga mat cleaner uses tea tree, lavender, frankincense, eucalyptus, citriodora and palmarosa essential oils to natural remove dirt, sweat and oils from your yoga mat.
view on Blissoma Site

7. Recycled Foam Roller by Organic Yoga
I couldn’t live without my foam roller! A foam roller will sooth your sore muscles, stretch you out and relieve back tension after exercising or a long day of work. This roller is made from recycled foam!
view on Amazon

8. Drishti Natural Cork Yoga Blocks
These sustainably harvest cork yoga blocks are a perfect give for an eco-friendly yogi.
view on Amazon

9. Gaiam Yoga Mat
This yoga mat is lightweight, durable, extra thick (5mm) and comes in a variety of fun colors & designs. I love this purple mandala one.  Gaiam’s mats are free of Phthalates, DEHP, DBP, BBP, DINP, DIDP and DNOP.
view on Amazon

10. Way Out Wax Lavender Essential Oil Candle
Way Out Wax is a company you should know about. For 20 years they’ve been creating high quality candles using all-natural essential oils and no animal testing, chemical additives, fragrances or dyes. I love their Green Mountain collection, created in the Green Mountains of Northern Vermont. This one is their calming Lavender scent.
view on Amazon

11. Way Out Wax Clear Head Essential Oil Candle
This is my favorite Way Out Wax candle, Clear Head. It uses a blend of Eucalyptus, Peppermint and Rosemary and lives up to its name! This scent helps your mind feel focused and relaxed at the same time.
view on Amazon

12. Way Out Wax Cozy Home Essential Oil Candle
This candle has a warm cozy feel with its blend of Cinnamon, Clove & Nutmeg.
view on Amazon

This week, our Smock Rock students at TLB Music are creating an art project inspired by Henry Mancini’s “Moon River”!

Student Materials:
1 dark blue piece of 8.5″ x 11” cardstock paper with template printed on it for background
(get the free bridge & water template here)
small ripped pieces of tissue paper in blue, light blue and purple
2 pieces of .5” by 4.5” black cardstock paper for bridge towers
1 piece of .25” x 11” black cardstock paper for the bridge deck
thin strips of black cardstock paper for kids to cut for their bridge’s suspension cables
1 yellow paper moon
.25” hole punched yellow paper circles for bridge lights
white paint, small paint brush
glue stick, glue, scissors

Teacher Materials: -paper cutter -scissors -circle hole punchers

Teacher Prep: -print template on blue cardstock paper -prepare tissue paper pieces
-cut and prep all bridge pieces   -hole punch moons   -hole punch bridge lights

Project Intro:
This art project is inspired by the music of Henry Mancini! Mancini was an American composer, conductor and arranger. Show pictures. Do kids know what composer, conductor and arranger mean? Discuss briefly. Mancini was best known for the music he wrote for television and movies! One of his most famous pieces of music is called “Moon River” which he wrote for a movie called “Breakfast at Tiffany’s”, that takes place right here in NYC! Let’s create a colorful East River, then a Brooklyn Bridge with lights, a moon in the sky and stars! While we craft, let’s listen to Mancini’s music: “Moon River”, “The Pink Panther Theme”, “Dear Heart”, music from “Peter Gunn” and more!

For each student: full sheet blue paper, tissue paper pieces & glue stick (could also use decoupage glue).
Step 1 (create tissue paper river): Place your blue sheet of paper horizontally. Glue blue, light blue and purple tissue paper pieces on the bottom part of your paper up to the blue line to create your water.

Step 1- Create Tissue Tissue Paper Water

 
For each student: two .5” x 4.5” black pieces of paper for bridge towers.
Step 2 (glue bridge towers): Glue bridge towers in their places.

Step 2- Glue Towers

 
For each student: black marker or crayon.
Step 3 (trace top cable): Using a black marker or crayon, trace over the top cable line on your bridge.

Step 3- Trace the Top Cable

 
For each student: one .25” x 11” strip of black paper for bridge deck.
Step 4 (glue bridge deck): Glue your bridge deck horizontally along the black line above your water line.

Step 4- Glue Bridge Deck

 
For each student: thin black stripes of paper and scissors
Step 5 (glue cables): Glue cables that reach from the top cable to your bridge deck. You’ll need a variety of different lengths. Cut black strips of paper into the length you need for each part!

Step 5- Glue Suspension Cables

 
For each student: yellow .25” paper circles
Step 6 (create bridge lights): Glue a small yellow circle to the top of each vertical cable to create lights that light up the top of the bridge.

Step 6- Glue Lights to Top Cable

 
For each student: one yellow moon.
Step 7 (add moon): Glue a yellow moon above the bridge, up in the sky!

Step 7- Glue Moon in Sky

 
For each student: white paint and small paint brush.
Step 8 (add moon): For our final step, we’re going to paint stars in the night sky! Using just a bit of paint, make small dots in the sky.

Step 8- Paint Stars

Project Complete!

This week, our Smock Rock students at TLB Music are creating Carmen-inspired paper fans and handmade castanets while listening to music from Bizet’s opera Carmen (The Habanera) and Flamenco music!

Student Materials:
2 small rectangular pieces of cardboards (1.75 x 5” each)
4 bottle caps, glue, glue stick, scissors
small items for decorating top of castanets (I used small paper circles)
2 pages of Carmen sheet music (with folding lines printed on the back)
Get Carmen sheet music here (pages 30-31) | download lined paper template here
glitter glue sticks (we use these washable glitter glue sticks by Elmer’s)
paint brushes, tape for making fan’s handle

Teacher Materials: -stapler

Teacher Prep: -cut cardboard into 1.75 x 5” pieces
-print sheet music with folding lines printed on back

Project Intro:
Today, our art project is inspired by Carmen! What is Carmen? Carmen is an opera by French composer Bizet and Carmen is also the name of the lead character in the opera. Opera is a kind of theatre where the story is told through music and song. Elements of opera that help tell the story: stage and scenery, costumes, opera singers and a musical ensemble. Today, we’re going to create Carmen-inspired costume accessories: a paper fan and castanets! The story of Carmen takes place in Spain so, while we craft, we’ll listen to beautiful Spanish Flamenco music in addition to our music from Carmen. Ask students: what do we do with a fan? How do we use? What are castanets? Show classroom pair of castanets and demonstrate how to use. Show craft sample and discuss how we can create castanets out of cardboard, bottle caps and glue!

Castanet & Fan Materials

Pass out 2 pieces of cardboard, 4 bottle caps, glue and gluesticks.
Step 1 (fold & decorate castanets): Fold cardboard pieces in half, then unfold to decorate. Use small pieces of paper or paper cutouts to decorate the top of each castanet.
*Keep in mind, our castanets will be drying decorated side down so be careful not to use too much glue.

Folding & Decorating Castanets

Now we’re going to glue bottle caps to the inside of our castanets so when we close them, they make a clicking sound.
Step 2 (glue bottle caps to castanets): First, put a line of glue around the inner rim of each bottle cap and press onto your cardboard, holding in the correct position for a few moments. This is the tricky part! We careful not to let the bottle caps slide. Once they’re stuck in place, line the outer edge of each bottle cap with more glue to seal. You could also put a couple small decorations on the inside of your castanets!
(I used a heart on each side!) Set aside to dry, bottle cap side up.

Gluing Bottle Caps on Castanets

Pass out sheet music and glue sticks. Tell students: this is the music from Carmen! What do your students see on the paper? (Notes, symbols, words) Let’s turn our sheet music into a fan! First we need to attach 2 pieces of music.
Step 3 (glue sheet music piece together): Use a gluestick to glue 2 sheets of music together along the short end.

Gluing Sheet Music Together

Now, let’s make the folds in our fan. Turn sheet music over and, using the lines as a guide, accordion fold from one end to the other. Slowly explain how to make accordion folds in paper and ask adults to help children!
Step 4 (accordion fold along lines on back): Accordion fold from one end to the other.

Making Accordion Folds in Sheet Music

Our fan needs a handle!
Step 5 (staple & make a tape handle): Pinch together one side of your paper and ask an adult to help you staple together. Next, wrap tape around the stapled end to create a handle!  We used duct tape, but any tape will work!

Creating a Fan Handle

Our last step is to decorate the top edge of our fan! Let’s use sparkling glitter glue! Ask adults to help children squeeze just a little bit of glitter glue onto a plate. (the glitter glue comes out quickly so it’s better to use a paintbrush to distribute)
Step 6 (decorate top edge of fan): Paint with your glitter glue at the top edge of your fan! *Use a light coating so fan isn’t weighed down.

Decorating the Fan

Finished Castanets & Sheet Music!

This week’s TLB Music Smock Rock project theme is Jazz music! We’re creating a Charlie “Bird” Parker-inspired saxophone collage! While they craft, our students are listening to Benny Goodman’s “Sing, Sing, Sing”, Duke Ellington’s “It Don’t Mean a Thing”, Louis Armstrong’s “Basin Street Blues” and Charlie Parker’s “Ornithology”!

Student Materials:
a sturdy sheet of white paper
tissue paper in a variety of colors cut into small shapes (mine were rough squares, some pieces I ripped!)
1 yellow paper saxophone (get the saxophone & mouthpiece template here)
1 paper saxophone mouthpiece (can be any color, use about template)
small 1/2” circles for saxophone keys (can be any color)
1 paper oval for saxophone bell (can be any color)
Charlie Parker sheet music (printed 4 per page, links below)
Ornithology Sheet Music | Yardbird Suite Sheet Music
black music notes confetti or small paper music notes
glue stick, scissors

Teacher Materials: scissors, 1/2” circle hole puncher, bird hole puncher

Teacher Prep: -cut saxophones -print sheet music 4 per page and cut
-punch 1/2” circles for keys -cut mouthpieces -cut bell (kids can help cut an oval here if you’d like)

*view hole punchers, music notes and tissue paper used at the bottom of post!

Project Intro:
Today, we’re going to listen to Jazz music while we make a collage inspired by a very famous Jazz musician, Charlie “Bird” Parker. Show picture. What instrument did he play? Does anyone know its name? Now, can kids find the saxophone in the classroom? We’ll include a bird in our collage because Charlie’s nickname was “bird”- isn’t that funny? Several of his compositions reference birds: “Yardbird”, “Ornithology”, “Bird Gets the Worm”, and “Bird of Paradise”.

Pass out piece of tissue paper, glue sticks and white paper. Let’s make a beautiful background by gluing pieces of colorful tissue paper on the paper. Layer the different colors, noticing how the areas where you overlap make new colors!
Step 1 (create background): Using a gluestick, glue your piece of tissue paper on your paper, covering the entire paper. It’s ok if you go over the edge: adults can help children trim the excess by turning the paper over to see where the extra paper is!

Creating the Background

Decorating Materials

Pass out small sheet music. Charlie Parker wrote these songs! What do kids see on the paper? (Notes, words, symbols!) We’re going to decorate our collage at the end with lots of music notes!
Step 2 (sheet music): Glue sheet music to your background.

Adding Sheet Music to Background

Pass out saxophones. Ask children to help you identify which is the top and the bottom. Look at real saxophone to see which way it goes!
Step 3 (saxophone body): Glue saxophone to background. (I let mine overlap the sheet music a bit)

Saxophone Body

Our next step is adding the bell’s hole.  This is where the sound comes from!
Step 4 (saxophone bell): Glue bell on saxophone.

Saxophone Bell

To change the pitch on a saxophone, musicians need to press the keys to cover the holes on the saxophone! Show with real saxophone. Pass out small paper circles for keys.
Step 5 (saxophone keys): Glue keys on the neck of the saxophone.

Saxophone Keys

To make a sound, saxophone players need to blow into a mouthpiece attached to top of the next. Show saxophone mouthpiece. Let’s add a mouthpiece to our saxophone!
Step 6 (saxophone mouthpiece): Glue mouthpiece to saxophone.

Saxophone Mouthpiece

Time to add our bird in honor of Charlie Parker!
Step 7 (bird): Choose a bird and glue it to your collage.

Adding the Bird

Our last step is adding the music notes! Notes are symbols that tell musicians what to play. It can tell them to play a low note or a high note and tells them how long to hold the note.
Step 8 (music notes): Glue music notes to your collage.

Music Notes

Finished Collage!

End of class activity, if time:
Let’s play along with Charlie Parker on our own wind instruments! Pass out a recorder for each child. We play our recorders very similarly to our saxophone: we need to blow to make a sound and move our fingers over the holes to change the pitch. First, warm up with a simple song like “Mary Had a Little Lamb” then jam out along with a recording of Charlie Parker!

Today’s bowl!

Strawberry Raspberry Smoothie Bowl
(makes 1 large serving or 2 smaller portions)

For smoothie, blend together:
3 frozen organic bananas
1/2  cup fresh organic raspberries
1/2 cup frozen organic strawberries
2 tablespoons pomegranate powder (I use Navitas brand.)
1 scoop vegan protein powder (I use Vega’s vanilla protein smoothie powder.)
1/4 – 1/2 cup soy milk (I used Silk’s organic soy milk. You can use any dairy free milk. Use less liquid for a thicker, more ice cream-like texture.)

Toppings:
shredded coconut (I use Let’s Do Organic coconut.)
hemp seeds (I use Nutiva.)
organic kiwi
organic banana
pomegranate seeds
organic raspberries
hemp granola (my favorite is this granola by Nature’s Path Organic.)

Follow me on Instagram (@thebirdfeednyc) to see more smoothie bowls!

This week, our Smock Rock at TLB Music students are creating Hawaiian leis and grass crowns while listening to some of our favorite Hawaiian songs like “Aloha ‘Oe”, “One Paddle, Two Paddle” & “Lovely Hula Hands”.

Student Materials:

Lei: hole punched flowers in a variety of colors with holes punched in center for stringing
green paper leaves with hole for stringing, string, a variety of colorful straws, scissors, green crayon

Crown: 2 strips of green cardstock paper (3” x 11”) attached
scissors, glue stick, paper flowers

Teacher Materials: -scissors
flower hole punchers (shown at bottom of post), small circle hole puncher

Teacher Prep: -punch flowers in a variety of colors and cut green leaves
-punch holes in flower and leaves for stringing (leaves some flower without holes for crowns)
-cut string to appropriate lengths – cut 3” x 11” green cardstock strips
-glue strips of green paper in pairs to double length -precut straws if using heavy weight paper straws

Project Intro:  Today our art project is inspired by hula dance and music! Hula dance comes from the Hawaiian Islands. Show pictures. What do kids see? Beach, ocean, palm trees, dancers, etc.  The dancers wear grass skirts, flower headbands and leis and dance using graceful arm movements and swaying their hips. Demonstrate briefly. Hula dance is most often accompanied by accompanied by chanting, ukuleles, guitars, drums, puili sticks and other rattles. Today, we’ll make our own flower leis (a necklace of flowers!) and grass crowns while listening to beautiful traditional Hawaiian music!

LEI:

Lei Supplies

Ask children to choose about 20 flowers and a few leaves for their lei. If using 2 types of flowers like I did, choose 10 of each flower. Now we need to sort them. We’ll be stringing the flowers 2 at a time so we need to pair our flowers in pretty combinations!
Step 1 (group flowers): Group your flowers in piles of 2, choosing a variety of different color combinations!

We’re going to use pieces of straws to separate our pairs of flowers and leaves. Let’s cut straws into 1.5” pieces!
Step 2 (cut straws): With the help of a grown-up, cut 2 to 3 straws into 1.5” pieces.

Now we’re going to use green crayon to draw details on our leaves to make them more realistic. Look at pictures of Hawaiian leaves and notice the veins!
Step 3 (crayon leaf details): Using a green crayon, draw a line down the middle of each leaf then draw veins (lines) on each side.

It’s time to put our leis together! Choose a pattern to follow.
I used this pattern: 1. pair of flowers 2. straw 3. pair of flowers 4. straw 5. leaf 6.straw
Step 4 (thread flowers, leaves and straws): Thread flowers, leaves & straws on string following a pattern.

Step 5 (tie string): With the help of a grown-up, tie a knot with both ends of string to complete your lei!

GRASS CROWN:

Grass Crown Supplies

Ask children to choose 1 strip of green paper to make their crown. To create the look of grass, we’ll be making little cuts on one side of our paper strips.
Step 1 (make grass): With the help of a grown-up, cut one side of your green paper to look like grass. If initial cuts create wide pieces of “grass”, continue cutting those wide pieces to create smaller pieces!

Ask adults to help children measure their grass strip around their heads to decide where to glue it together.
Step 2 (make crown with strip): Wrap your crown around your head to decide where to glue then glue together to create your crown. Hold in place for a few second to seal in position.

It’s time to add flowers to our crowns!
Step 3 (decorate with flowers): Glue colorful flowers to your crown!

This pretty purple smoothie is delicious and packed with antioxidants! If you have any leftover smoothie, pour it into popsicle molds and freeze!

Blackberry Mango Smoothie Bowl
(makes 1 large serving or 2 smaller portions)

For smoothie, blend together:
3 frozen organic bananas
3/4 cup frozen organic mango
1/2 – 3/4 cup frozen organic blackberries
1 scoop vegan protein powder (I use Vega’s vanilla protein smoothie powder.)
1/4 – 1/2 cup soy milk (I used Silk’s organic soy milk. You can use any dairy free milk or coconut water! Use less liquid for a thicker, more ice cream-like texture.)

Toppings:
shredded coconut (I use Let’s Do Organic coconut.)
hemp seeds (I use Nutiva.)
organic banana
organic mango
sprouted organic buckwheat groats (I LOVE Emmy’s Super Cereal!)
organic blackberries

Follow me on Instagram (@thebirdfeednyc) to see more smoothie bowls!

This week’s Smock Rock students at TLB Music are creating Beatles-inspired “Octopus’s Garden” collages complete with yellow submarines! This project is amazing for practicing fine motor skills: it includes cutting, pasting, pressing, drawing, bending, threading and manipulating small pieces.  As children craft, they’re listening to some of our favorite Beatles’ songs like “Octoptus’s Garden”, “Yellow Submarine”, “Here Comes the Sun”, “Good Day Sunshine”, and “Hello, Goodbye”!

Student Materials:
ocean scene printed on sturdy sheet of white paper (PDF below)
printed octopus template on sturdy purple paper (PDF below)
2” circles: 1 red (for crab) & a few more in a variety of other colors to create fish
small white 1/2” circles for eyes
2 small red crab claws (precut by teacher)
small paper hearts for fish tails
small paper shells (precut by teacher)
1 paper yellow submarine (precut by teacher, image below)
small tissue paper pieces to create coral
crayons, glue stick, scissors

Teacher Materials: scissors, circle hole punchers

Teacher Prep: -print ocean backgrounds, octopus templates, and yellow submarines
-precut crab claws, shells, heart tails -cut octopus templates out, leaving legs for students to cut
-hole punch 2 inch circles and small circles for eyes (add black dot on eyes for pupils!)

Project Intro:
This art project is inspired by The Beatles! The Beatles were a very popular band! Has anyone heard of them? Show pictures. What are their names? What instruments do they play? Today, we’re going to create an Octopus’s Garden in honor of their song “Octopus’s Garden”. What other sea animals do your students know? Other songs we’ll listen to today: “Yellow Submarine”, “Here Comes the Sun”, “Good Day Sunshine”, and “Hello, Goodbye”. To begin, give each student an ocean background. What do they see? (ocean floor, sand, water, seaweed, coral)

Supplies

Click for Printable PDF

Click for Printable PDF

Click to Print

Pass out an octopus template for each student. Ask students, how many legs does an octopus have? Count together using sample!
Step 1 (create octopus): Cut along the dotted lines to create the legs then, in the center of your template, paste 2 eyes and draw a smile with crayon. Wrap the template up, attaching at the tab with glue, to create the octopus body. Hold in place for a minute until it is secure then curl the legs up! With the help of an adult, hole punch 2 small holes on each side of your octopus, thread a string through and tie above. Set aside.

Ask everyone to find a big red circle. We’re going to turn this into a crab! Can kids find 2 red crab claws and 2 white eyes?
Step 2 (create crab): With the help of an adult, cut your red circle in half. Glue in the center of your ocean floor with the rounded side on top. Next, let’s give our crab 2 eyes at the top of his head. Glue 2 white circles on your crab’s head. What is our crab missing? (Legs!) Using a red crayon, draw 8 crab legs from the crab’s body to the ocean floor. Draw 2 more front legs on the top of your crab and attach your red claws!

Next, let’s create fish using circles, triangles and hearts!
Step 3 (create fish): Round fish: cut triangle mouth out of circle & use triangle for tail.  Add eyes.
Fish with heart tails: cut the bottom of a circle off, following the curve of the circle, creating a slimmer fish. Add a heart tail and eyes. Ask kids to get creative and create a 3rd type of fish!

Another famous Beatles song is “Yellow Submarine”. Does anyone know what a submarine is? Let’s add a yellow submarine to our ocean!
Step 4 (yellow submarine): glue a yellow submarine in your ocean.

Look at picture of coral. Coral lives on our ocean floor! Let’s create coral with tissue paper.
Step 5 (coral): Crumple up small pieces of tissue paper to make different colored coral and glue to ocean floor.

Our last step is adding details to our octopus’ garden. Shells, bubbles, more fish, etc!  Sit your octopus in the garden or make him dance, holding him by the string! 
Step 6 (ocean details): Add details to your ocean. Ideas:
*draw bubbles coming from mouth of fish
*glue shells to ocean floor
*use fish stamps to stamp extra fish in your water
*stick fish stickers to your background
*glue sequins to ocean floor
*glue rice “rocks” to ocean floor

This is my favorite summer smoothie.  So light, sweet and refreshing! Use just a little bit of dairy free milk or coconut water when blending to achieve an ice cream consistency or add more for a delicious drinkable smoothie.

Watermelon Pomegranate Smoothie Bowl
(makes 1 large serving or 2 smaller portions)

For smoothie, blend together:
3 frozen organic bananas
1 cup fresh organic watermelon
1/2 cup frozen organic strawberries
2 tablespoons pomegranate powder (I use Navitas brand.)
1 scoop vegan protein powder (I use Vega’s vanilla protein smoothie powder.)
1/4 – 1/2 cup soy milk (I used Silk’s organic soy milk. You can use any dairy free milk or coconut water! Use less liquid for a thicker, more ice cream-like texture.)

Toppings:
shredded coconut (I use Let’s Do Organic coconut.)
hemp seeds (I use Nutiva.)
organic banana
pomegranate seeds
watermelon stars
hemp granola (my favorite is this granola by Nature’s Path Organic.)

Follow me on Instagram (@thebirdfeednyc) to see more smoothie bowls!

This week, our Smock Rock students at TLB Music are creating watercolor seahorse collages inspired by the art of Eric Carle! In particular, the beautiful artwork from his book, Mister Seahorse.   While we craft, we’re listening to ocean-themed music including “Under the Sea” from The Little Mermaid, Bobby Darin’s “Beyond the Sea”, Aquarium from Saint-Saëns’ Carnival of the Animals and The Beatles’ “Octopus’s Garden”!

Student Materials:
sturdy sheet of white paper with seahorse outline printed on it
blank sturdy sheet of white paper for background (can use watercolor paper for both if you’d like)
crayons: orange, blue, green, magenta, white and black
watercolor paint, paint brushes,water
glue stick, glue, scissors
*all supplies used are listed at bottom of post!

Teacher Materials:
scissors
copy of Eric Carle’s Mister Seahorse

Teacher Prep: print seahorse outline on white paper (download outline below)

Project Intro:
Before starting the craft, flip through the book. Has anyone read this book?  How do you you think Eric Carle created his art?  Eric Carle uses watercolor and painted paper collages to create his distinctive style! Ask children to help you identify colors, shapes, animals and anything else that interests them.

Inspiration:

Click to enlarge and print!

Let’s start by using crayons to draw details that will show through our watercolor paint. To begin, let’s draw orange stripes on our seahorse’s dorsal fin! Can kids say “dorsal fin”? This fin helps the seahorse stabilize and propel in the water.
Step 1 (orange stripes on fin): Using orange crayon, draw stripes on the seahorse’s dorsal fin.

Next, let’s draw spots in various colors on the seahorse’s body. Use one color at a time, asking children to find each color crayon as you go: blue, green, magenta and white. Explain that even though we can’t see the white dots now, they will show up with watercolor!
Step 2 (dots with crayons): Using blue, green, magenta and white crayons, make polka dots on the body.

Now we’re going to use watercolors to paint our seahorse! Using Eric Carle’s illustration as a guide, let’s paint color by color. First orange (on his belly!), then yellow, green, blue, magenta (or pink) and purple. Before painting each color, take a moment to look at Eric Carle’s seahorse and discuss where we see the color. Thoroughly rinse brushes in between.
Step 3 (watercolor paint): Paint with orange, yellow, green, blue, magenta and purple then set aside to dry.

While our seahorse is drying, let’s paint a background. Look at the cover of Mister Seahorse and notice how Eric Carle created a simple background using yellow and blue watercolor on white.
Step 4 (paint background): Using yellow and blue watercolor, paint simple wavy lines for the background.

Step 5 (draw eye): Use a black crayon to draw a small circle for the eye on your seahorse.

*While papers are drying, spend a few minutes reading some of the book and/or teach some fun facts about seahorses.
-Did you now that male seahorses give birth!? The female seahorse lays her eggs into a pouch on the male seahorse’s belly and he takes care of the seahorse eggs until they’re born!
-When 2 seahorses fall in love, they dance, swimming together. Sometimes up to 8 hours!
-A baby seahorse is called a “fry” and a group of seahorses, a “herd”.  -Seahorses have no teeth!

Step 6 (cut out seahorse): With the help of an adult, cut seahorse out.

Step 7 (glue seahorse on background): Using a gluestick, paste your seahorse to your background.

The last step is to cut and paste small paper details on the seahorse’s neck and back like in Eric Carle’s art.
Step 8 (cut & glue details on neck): Using your painted paper scraps, cut small triangles or rectangle shapes. Use glue to attach to your seahorse’s neck and back like Mister Seahorse!

I love a day at the beach or sitting by a pool but can’t stand having oily hair, a sweaty face or sunburnt skin so I’m always looking for the most effective summer beauty products.  These are my favorite beach beauty essentials. Hydrating leave-in conditioner, age-defying hand cream, waterproof bronzer, my secret for an oil-free face in seconds, an ingenious underarm product and more! All vegan and cruelty-free, of course!

1. Supergoop! “Forever Young” SPF 40 Hand Cream with Sea Buckthorn
This is my favorite summer hand cream.  The subtle scent is delicious, it absorbs quickly and brightens and improves skin’s texture! The small size is perfect for throwing in your beach bag.
view on www.amazon.com

2. Mineral Fusion SPF 30 Brush-On Sun Defense
In addition to my liquid face sunscreen, I always use a brush-on powder sunscreen for touch-ups and to control shine. This power is antioxidant-infused with sea kelp and white tea!
view on www.amazon.com

3. Klorane Dry Shampoo with Oat Milk
This is my absolute favorite dry shampoo. It quickly absorbs excess oil and restores bounce after a long day at the beach. I use the tinted version but they also offer their original clear dry shampoo!
view on www.kloraneusa.com

4. Tatcha Aburatorigami Japanese Blotting Papers
These are the best blotting papers I’ve ever tried! I always carry a package in my purse during the summer. The sheets are made of 100 percent natural abaca leaf and gold flake. They’re as pretty as they are effective!
view on www.amazon.com

5. Sun Bum SPF 30 Lip Balm
This vegan lip balm is made with moisturizing cocoa butter and comes in so many yummy flavors. Flavors pictured: key lime, pink grapefruit, coconut, banana, mango & pomegranate!
view on www.amazon.com

6. Tarte Matte Waterproof Bronzer in Park Avenue Princess
If you’re protecting you’re face like me, you’ll need a bronzer to give your cheeks and forehead that perfect summer glow. This bronzer contains vitamins A, C, and E and even contains water to help your skin retain moisture!
view on www.amazon.com

7. Supergoop! SPF 50 Defense Refresh Setting Mist with Rosemary
This three-in-one mist controls oil throughout the day, sets makeup and provides UV photoaging protection. I love the fresh rosemary-mint scent!
view on www.amazon.com

8. Sun Bum 3-in-1 Leave-in Spray
This lightweight leave-in spray smells amazing. Like one Amazon reviewer put it: “this product smells like your childhood summer at the beach”! It conditions and protects with coconut oil, argan oil, sweet almond oil, sunflower seed oil and banana leaf.
view on www.amazon.com

9. Coola SPF 30 Piña Colada Sunscreen Spray
This hydrating sunscreen is made with organic ingredients like cucumber, algae extract, strawberry extract and red raspberry seed oil. It sprays on evenly and smells incredible! Want higher SPF? Try their unscented SPF 30 sport sunscreen spray!
view on www.amazon.com

10. MyChelle Cucumber Cooler Soothing Spray
Soothe, cool and hydrate your skin after a day in the sun with this cucumber and aloe spray! Made with all-natural, non-GMO ingredients.
view on www.mychelle.com

11. MyChelle Replenishing Solar Defense SPF 30 Anti-Aging Cream
This is such an amazing anti-aging sunscreen for your face.  It protects, moisturizes and reduces lines with plant-based ingredients like zinc oxide, red algae extract, kukui oil and macadamia nut oil!
view on www.mychelle.com

12. Pacifica Underarm Deodorant Wipes
This ingenious product by Pacifica wipes away underarm sweat, neutralizes odors and soothes with coconut milk and essential oils.
view on www.amazon.com

This is the most delicious smoothie bowl! It tastes just like chocolate peanut butter ice cream but so much better because it’s good for you and cruelty-free!  I’ve made variations of this amazing nice cream before but using Peanut Butter & Co.’s white chocolate peanut butter made it extra special.

Chocolate Peanut Butter Smoothie Bowl
(makes 1 large serving or 2 smaller portions)

For smoothie, blend together:
3.5 frozen organic bananas
2 tablespoons peanut butter (My favorite: Peanut Butter & Co. White Chocolate Wonderful!)
1 scoop chocolate vegan protein powder (I used Vega’s chocolate protein smoothie powder.)
1/4 – 1/2 cup soy milk (I used Silk’s organic soy milk. You can use any dairy-free milk!)

Toppings:
shredded coconut (I use Let’s Do Organic coconut.)
hemp seeds (I used Nutiva’s organic shelled hemp seeds.)
sliced banana
cacao nibs (I use Navitas!)
hemp granola (my favorite is this granola by Nature’s Path Organic.)
pomegranate seeds
sliced strawberries

Follow me on Instagram (@thebirdfeednyc) to see more smoothie bowls!

For smoothie, blend together:
2 frozen organic bananas
1 cup frozen organic mango
3/4 cup frozen organic strawberries
1 tablespoon Goji powder (I use Navitas. Extra boost of beta-carotene & antioxidants!)
1 scoop vegan protein powder (I use Vega’s vanilla protein smoothie powder.)
1/4 – 1/2 cup soy milk (I used Silk’s organic soy milk. You can use any dairy-free milk!)

Toppings:
shredded coconut (I use Let’s Do Organic coconut.)
hemp seeds
sliced organic banana
pomegranate seeds
strawberries
hemp granola (my favorite is this granola by Nature’s Path Organic.)
sliced organic mango

Follow me on Instagram (@thebirdfeednyc) to see more smoothie bowls!

This week at TLB Music, our Smock Rock art students are creating handmade maracas while listening to Cuban music!  These maracas are easy for little hands to make, help students practice fine motor skills and they sound great to play!

Student Materials:
masking or duct tape, in a few colors or patterns
2 plastic spoons, 1 plastic easter egg, about 1-2 tsp of rice

Teacher Materials: scissors

Teacher Prep: -place a small of of rice in a cup for each child
-cut strips of tape for students or help students cut

Make Your Own Maraca! Materials

If you have a real set of maracas, start by looking at them and asking students to identify the parts of the maraca (maraca head and handle!). What is making the noise? (little beads inside the maraca head!). To make our maraca head, we’re going to use a hollow, plastic egg. Do kids have any ideas what we could put inside to make sound? Let kids contribute ideas. Today, we’re going to use uncooked rice to fill our eggs. To create a handle, we’re going to sandwich the egg between 2 spoons and secure them together! Show finished model.

Let kids pick 2 spoons to use as their handles and one plastic easter egg. What colors did everyone choose? Everyone should have a little bit of rice in front of them. To begin, we’re going to put rice in our eggs.
Step 1 (fill plastic egg): Carefully add 1-2 tsp of rice to one side of your egg and close!

Now we need to seal our egg closed with a little bit of tape. Give each child a small piece.
Step 2 (secure egg with tape): Use tape to cover one side (opposite hinge) of your egg to secure.
Shake to test the sound!

Let’s add a little piece of tape to the inside of each spoon to help hold the egg in place. Show kids how to roll up a small piece of tape and place one at a time in each spoon.
Step 3 (tape rolls on spoons): Place a small roll of tape on bowl of each spoon

Now let’s add handles to our egg shaker!
Step 4 (place egg between spoons): Place the egg on one spoon, pushing firmly in place, then add the 2nd spoon on the opposite side so that their handles align and touch at the bottom.

Next, we have to secure our handles with tape! Help kids choose & cut tape in a variety of widths and lengths.
Step 5 (tape spoons around egg): Use tape to secure egg in place! Wrap around the center of the egg, beneath where the egg sits and at the bottom of the handles.