So yeah: Valentine's day is almost here. Yawn. We all get sick of all plastic hearts and pressure to appropriately say "I Love You" on Official Express Your Love day. But I'm here to say that Valentine's Day shouldn't just be about showing OTHERS that you love them. As mamas, I think we all spend a lot of time expressing our love to our partners and children. What about a little self-love?

In that vein, I've got a few eco-conscious baubles from Offbeat Mama's most dedicated sponsor, Brilliant Earth. If you've read Offbeat Mama or Offbeat Bride for a while, you've seen Brilliant Earth before — they specialize in ethically-sourced conflict-free diamonds, fair-trade gemstones and 100% recycled metals. They donate 5% of their profits to African communities that have been affected by the jewelry trade. Basically, if you want bling that isn't dripping in blood, Brilliant Earth is the way to go.

Anyhoo, here are a few of my favorite Valentine's Day self-love gifts from Brilliant Earth:

1. Under $100: Personalized recycled sterling silver charm pendant. Pair an initial charm with a heart charm, or choose an Om symbol or lotus flower.
2. Under $250 -Wave pendant with ethically sourced blue sapphire in sterling silver. Get a little fluid dynamics in your day with this wave.
3. Under $500 – 18K white gold Tahitian pearl stud earrings. These organic, sustainably-cultured Tahitian pearls are a modern take on a classic.
4. Under $1000 – Diamond Flower Pendant. Love nature? Love bling? This playful, stylish flower pendant sparkles with diamond-encrusted petals.
5. Pink Lab-Created Diamonds Love diamonds? Love science? Skip over all the ethical issues surrounding diamonds by getting one custom created for you in a lab. It's pink! It's techy! It's the geeky bling-lovers dream.

Buying yourself bling for Valentine's Day isn't everyone's cup of tea, but if you're considering it … Brilliant Earth is definitely the best place to do it!

Whatever you're celebrating this time of year (personally, I'm most excited about the days getting longer again!) and whoever you celebrate with (family of origin? family of choice? urban tribe? just yourself?) here's lotsa holiday lovin' from my little family to yours…

Rich's first post for Offbeat Mama was such a hit that I've asked him to write a regular monthly column for us called Step Dada-ism. In honor of Thanksgiving this week, here's Rich's take on the joys of a blended family holiday. -Ariel

The time between November 1 and January 1 produces a lot of hand-wringing. Not because you’re stressing about how to pay for gifts or trying to make vacations line up. That’s the easy part. I’m talking about the Holiday Two-Step. The exasperating job of scheduling whose family is going to be spending time at which location, and making sure so-and-so won’t be there, because if she is, there’s no way I’m gonna be there.

I’m just sayin’.

When you come from a blended family, this usually this requires the kind of diplomacy that would make Obama stand back and give props. When you come from a blended family—and have a blended family of your own—you need some kind of Ghandi/David Blaine combination of spiritual guidance and sleight of hand to achieve your goal.

Continue reading "The Holiday Hustle" →

"Come on Mum!! Santa's grotto! Quick!!"

Christmas 2008 and two eager hands are tugging on my jumper. It's my 5 year old son Luke's school Christmas Fayre. All around there are tinsel and toys to buy, tombola's, excited children queueing up to see Santa. And I'm looking around me at all of this, a mixture of feelings pulling at me.

Continue reading "Can you be pagan and celebrate Christmas with your kids?" →