Doing Our Part...Because It's Important

For those who pay attention, the recent recall of toys and news regarding manufacturing practices in Asia are of no surprise. That so many goods are manufactured and even grown abroad really is a problem. Oversight becomes compromised and less than ethical decisions can have free reign. Trade deficits drive imbalances in economies from which few ultimately benefit.

The manufacturing base of the United States was once huge and powerful. Out sourcing has pared this to a shell of its former self. This is not unique to the United States either; other countries are experiencing similar changes. This is not a xenophobic assertion. There are organizations that do oversee ethical and fair business, manufacturing and farming practices. But when one creates or grows a product more “locally”, one can have more control over the result. One can take on a greater share of responsibility.

We are concerned about these issues. At nina and tom, we do everything we can to minimize our role in these issues. Increasingly and especially as we convert our entire line to organic, we are accomplishing this. Presently, with only a few exceptions, everything we produce, from the growing of the cotton to the sewing of the garment to the printing of our totally cute designs is done here, in the United States, in a fair and responsible way. We’re proud of this, because it’s important.

Dinky-Dinky-Dink-Dink

This has become The Monkey's new thing. He loves watching it and has gotten Tom to make him his very own. Only Tom's isn't quite elaborate (Oh, but he is working on it). We'll be posting a photo or video of it soon. I love the song that plays at about 4:50 minutes and because there is just something diverting about it.

Sometimes A Three Year Old Can Be So...

OK...That Was Lame but Lucky

So,
this morning I was at The Monkey's gymnastics class watching him bounce around with the other kids. As I walked to go to the other side of the trampoline, I felt my toe get caught on a mat and heard the sound of a stick snapping. I looked down and saw my left pinkie toe in a position I had never seen it in before, saying rather calmly, "Oh my gosh, I think I broke my toe." The other moms came over to look and were completely shocked. Some saying, "Oh, it looks like you just displaced it." (You think?) or "Wow, that looks broken." Amazingly, it didn't hurt then but now it does. I called Tom and he came right over. He looked at it and put it back to where it has always been. Many don't know this but Tom is a surgical tech at local hospital (two days a week, mostly so we can have health insurance during times like these) and has an amazing understanding of the anatomy. The three of us walked home and called one of the doctors he works with. I went in and had some x-rays taken and low and behold I broke my toe. What was so cool was that the doctor had said Tom had put my toe back perfectly, "I couldn't have done a better job. This is why he can't leave his job, he's too good." (well that's a whole different story for a different post). Tom was very pleased and flattered by what the doctor had said by saying, "Gosh Honey, you married a man who can sew, cook, pees sitting down and can align a fracture, perfectly. Aren't you lucky?"
Yes I am.

Something New...Poll Qustions

I guess blogger is having some problems with their poll software. Unfortunately, I do not know HTML enough to figure it out on my own, so if any one wants to answer the the questions to the left under comments, that would be great.

(Would you like to see new holiday designs? Would you like our organic shirts in long sleeves?)

What do you think?

Cool Hand-Made Goodies & Giveaway

We have added more beautifully hand-made goodies to our gift ideas section of our website. Beebee Mod's lovely custom made Lovely Sleepy Sacks, Lily Bean's amazing detailed playfood and Diddle Dumpling's exquisite baby shoes. So cute, no?

Also, we are having a giveaway of our t-shirts to five lucky customers. Just join our mailing list or make a purchase and you'll be entered to win a cool shirt. The drawing will be September 15, 2007. The winner will be notified via email.