Thursday, January 21, 2010

Review and Giveaway: Aminals CLOSED



As my family and I attempt to go more "green", I am on the lookout for fun, natural, organic toys as opposed to the countless plastic, PVC, or other synthetic ones that monopolize the shelves. When it comes to stuffed animals, I find them to all have the same general characteristics. They tend to be the same generic plush animals and dolls that entertain for all of five minutes before being banished to the toy box or re-purposed into a bookend. The organic varieties I've come across are almost always muted pastels, if not completely colorless, and do little to stimulate or catch the eye of an active toddler.

That was until I discovered Aminals.

Aminals are a line of eco-friendly stuffed toys, inspired by children's illustrations. The bright, whimsical, vivid caricatures invite us into the secret, imaginative world of a preschooler. Each Aminal comes with its own little autobiography, but it's up to your little one to decide their next adventure.



Did you know that 1/4 of the world’s toxic insecticides are used just for growing conventional cotton? Millions of pounds of pesticides, defoliants, herbicides and synthetic fertilizers are sprayed on cotton each year. These chemicals pollute the air and the earth, not to mention the lungs of the cotton farmers. I was shocked to hear this. I mean, we're talking about the cotton that our children wear, cuddle and even chew on!

All Aminals are certified organic, stuffed with 100% unbleached, unprocessed, petrochemical-free organic cotton and dyed with low-impact, natural vegetable dyes.
Aminals is certified by GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) an internationally recognized body that certifies that all fibers and processes involved in the manufacture of Aminals meet strict standards for organic, sustainable and humane textile production. Every processing step that brings Aminals to you, from farming through spinning, weaving, washing and dyeing meet or exceed these criteria.
Aminals exercises fair labor practices and promotes safe, healthy, humane working conditions for all employees - absolutely NO child labor or discrimination. So, your Aminal is made with love from the very beginning. Also, after your Aminal has lived a long, happy life, you can safely compost it right back to the earth! From start to finish, there is no waste whatsoever.

Aminals was kind enough to send us Dinasor to review.



I was immediately impressed by its softness and vibrance. Dinasor was a radiant, earthly green color and the perfect size for cuddling. His flat, one-dimensional shape made him easy to grasp and carry. He definitely stood out among the rest of Nate's toys. My little boy can be a bit rough on his toys but the constuction of our Aminal seemed quite durable, and the detailing (look at that tongue...is he part aardvark?!) was also pretty cute.

Nate was a little weary of Dinasor at first. For the first two days, Nate would walk around the table he was sprawled on, making sure to stand at least three feet away but staring at him curiously. Once he finally gathered the courage to touch him, they became fast friends. At bedtime, when we rock in the glider and read books, Dinasor now joins along:



He's also fun to wrestle with, teethe on or use as a pillow:




Nate has not yet outgrown his oral phase so all of his toys eventually find themselves drenched in slobber. Unlike some of his other toys, I feel totally at ease letting Nate drool on Dinasor. I know he won't be exposed to harmful inks or dyes, won't choke on fur, buttons or other hazards and will be perfectly safe. I like that I can always throw our Aminal in the washing machine if he gets really cruddy, although doing so may cause him to fade over time. The cost may be a smidge higher than I would normally pay for a stuffed animal but because of all the environmentally-conscious features, I feel it is reasonable.

Bottom line: I would highly recommend checking out Aminals as an addition to your soft toy collection. They are unique, childlike, fun and friendly to the planet. I love that Aminals embraces the "green" lifestyle and encourages recycling and social responsibility.

BUY IT: You can purchase Aminals directly from www.aminaldolls.com (ARV $24.99).



WIN IT: Aminals is generously offering one lucky reader an Aminal of their choice!

MAIN COURSE (MANDATORY ENTRY): Visit the Aminals website and tell me which doll you would choose. Remember to please leave your email address in your comment if it isn't visible on your profile to prevent disqualification!

SUGAR ON TOP (BONUS ENTRIES): To maximize your chances of winning, you may do any or all of the following. Be sure to complete the above mandatory entry or your bonus entries will not count! Remember to leave one comment per entry.

1.) Follow my blog or subscribe via reader or email. Comment telling me which method you chose. If you already follow or subscribe, that counts! (1 entry)

2.) Follow me on Twitter and tweet about this contest. Just leave me a comment with your tweet link. (1 entry)

3.) Tell me what feature you like most about Aminals. (1 entry)

4.) Add my blog button and leave a comment with the link to where I can find it. (1 entry)

5.) Enter any of my other current giveaways and leave a comment telling me which one(s) you entered. (1 entry each)

I'm an Editor's Pick!

Giveaway will end on February 5, 2010 at 11:59pm EST. Open to U.S. only. Winners will be chosen via Random.org and will have 48 hours to respond to congratulatory email or prize will be forfeited and another winner will be chosen.

Disclaimer: I received a free product from Anne at Aminals to facilitate my candid review. I was not compensated in any other way for this post. The thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are purely my own. Your experience may differ.

112 comments:

Heidi said...

id get the wayel! so cute :)
heidilynndonahue@gmail.com

Heidi said...

my favorite feature is that they are 100% organic inside AND out!
heidilynndonahue@gmail.com

sohamolina said...

I'd choose Ceeta.

eddiem11@ca.rr.com

sohamolina said...

email subscriber

eddiem11@ca.rr.com

sohamolina said...

http://twitter.com/sohamolina/status/8056831863

eddiem11@ca.rr.com

sohamolina said...

I like it that each character has its own special story.

eddiem11@ca.rr.com

Benita said...

I'd choose the eflant.

bgcchs(at)yahoo(dot)com

Benita said...

I like that they're organic.

bgcchs(at)yahoo(dot)com

Benita said...

I entered Zarbees Giveaway.

bgcchs(at)yahoo(dot)com

Benita said...

I entered yo-yo ma's songs of joy and pride.

bgcchs(at)yahoo(dot)com

Benita said...

I entered My Baby Loves the 80s.

bgcchs(at)yahoo(dot)com

Benita said...

I entered Roger Days Why does Gray Matter?

bgcchs(at)yahoo(dot)com

Benita said...

I entered Cathy and Marcie's Banjo to Beatbox.

bgcchs(at)yahoo(dot)com

Benita said...

I entered Elvis 75: Good Rockin' Tonight.

bgcchs(at)yahoo(dot)com

Kim said...

love the Ceeta!

Kim said...

love that it looks hand-drawn!

Jessica cobb said...

I love wayul! That is so stinkin' cute!

cobb.ja(at)gmail(dot)com

Jessica cobb said...

I'm a follower!

cobb.ja(at)gmail.com

Devon said...

i would definitely love the "liun"... :)

livingthesmalltownlife@gmail.com

Devon said...

i'm a follower!

livingthesmalltownlife@gmail.com

Unknown said...

I would get the Smal Bayr for my niece if I won
gerrie dot shaeffer at yahoo dot com

Unknown said...

I am an email subscriber
gerrie dot shaeffer at yahoo dot com

Unknown said...

I have your button http://northcarolinamomma.blogspot.com/
gerrie dot shaeffer at yahoo dot com

Darcie K. said...

I love the Liun!
dmkayes@gmail.com

Darcie K. said...

I subscribe via email
dmkayes@gmail.com

Darcie K. said...

I follow
dmkayes@gmail.com

Darcie K. said...

I entered the Elvis giveaway
dmkayes@gmail.com

Darcie K. said...

I entered the My Baby Loves...The 80's giveaway
dmkayes@gmail.com

Darcie K. said...

I entered the Carolyn's Kitchen Apron giveaway
dmkayes@gmail.com

Benita said...

I entered Win a Cottonelle Gift basket.

bgcchs(at)yahoo(dot)com

sohamolina said...

I'd choose the Lion.

eddiem11@ca.rr.com

sohamolina said...

email subscriber

eddiem11@ca.rr.com

sohamolina said...

http://twitter.com/sohamolina/status/8283911423

eddiem11@ca.rr.com

sohamolina said...

I entered Eden Fantasy Giveaway.

eddiem11@ca.rr.com

sohamolina said...

I think Aminals is a clever idea and really uses a child's imagination. That's what I like about it.

Benita said...

I entered My Pleasure.


bgcchs(at)yahoo(dot)com

Benita said...

I entered Orglamix.


bgcchs(at)yahoo(dot)com

Anonymous said...

I would choose the Dinasor!

Shay Lee
pinknox(at)yahoo(dot)com

Anonymous said...

I follow ur blog :)

Shay Lee
pinknox(at)yahoo(dot)com

Anonymous said...

button in my blog:

http://pinknoxshay.blogspot.com/

Shay Lee
pinknox(at)yahoo(dot)com

Anonymous said...

I entered the Carolyn's Kitchen giveaway!

Shay Lee
pinknox(at)yahoo(dot)com

Anonymous said...

I entered the Orglamix giveaway!


Shay Lee
pinknox(at)yahoo(dot)com

Sarah L. said...

I like the eflant

sarahleary88 [at] yahoo [dot] com

slb3334 said...

They are all adorable but i'd have to go with the wayul.

MOMFOREVERANDEVER said...

Smal Bayr

smilekisses said...

I would choose Eflant.
dolniaks[at]consolidated[dot]net

Bonita12 said...

My boys would go crazy over Dinasor!
bwalker1123 at gmail dot com

Bonita12 said...

I like that they are organic and inspired by children.

Bonita12 said...

entered triaminic giveaway

Bonita12 said...

entered Elvis giveaway

Bonita12 said...

entered Edens Fantasies giveaway

Bonita12 said...

entered Cathy and Marcy's Banjo to Beatbox giveaway.

Benita said...

I entered Triaminic Thin Strips.

bgcchs(at)yahoo(dot)com

Benita said...

I entered Cutuest Little Tax Deduction: Onesie.

bgcchs(at)yahoo(dot)com

Jennifer Wilson said...

I like Dady

jenndiggy at gmail dot com

Jennifer Wilson said...

I follow google reader.

jenndiggy at gmail dot com

Jennifer Wilson said...

I entered "Cutest Little Tax Deduction" giveaway.

jenndiggy at gmail dot com

disneyfanheather said...

I would get the Smal Bayr!

disneyfanheather said...

I tweeted!
http://twitter.com/_HeatherAnne_/status/8525713776

disneyfanheather said...

Following your blog!

disneyfanheather said...

I love that they are 100% organic and super cute!

disneyfanheather said...

I entered the giveaway for the "Cutest Little Tax Deduction" Onesie!

disneyfanheather said...

I entered the Elvis 75: Good Rockin' Tonight giveaway!

Sarah said...

I like small bayr.

Sarah said...

I like that they are 100% organic inside and out.

Merrie L. said...

I'd want the "Momey" doll!

Merrie L.
lockwoodmerrie@yahoo.com

Cheryl B said...

I would choose Duggy.
cln1812(at)gmail(dot)com

Cheryl B said...

I'm an email subscriber & follower of your blog.
cln1812(at)gmail(dot)com

Cheryl B said...

follow you on twitter @cln1812 & tweeted:
http://twitter.com/cln1812/status/8620106072

Cheryl B said...

I like most that they are certified organic, bleach-free & dyed with low impact vegetable dyes.
cln1812(at)gmail(dot)com

Cheryl B said...

entered gummy lump toys

Cheryl B said...

entered orglamix

Cheryl B said...

entered carolyn's kitchen giveaway

Cheryl B said...

entered eden fantasy

Cheryl B said...

entered mypleasure.com

Cheryl B said...

entered allmodern.com

Terra Heck said...

I would choose Sistur. Thanks.
partymix25(at)hotmail(dot)com

Terra Heck said...

email subscriber
partymix25(at)hotmail(dot)com

mogrill said...

LOVE that they are organic. Thanks for the chance.
mogrill@comcast.net

Unknown said...

My son likes Duggy the best. He said he likes his nose.

hafner611{AT}gmail{DOT}com

vegan4life said...

ceeta ty

Nikki said...

I want the liun

nik_har at yahoo dot com

dreamcleavers said...

dreamcleavers@yahoo.com
i would choose wayul, i love him

dreamcleavers said...

dreamcleavers@yahoo.com
i follow you
dreamcleavers

dreamcleavers said...

dreamcleavers@yahoo.com
i love how unique they are

Tabathia B said...

My dd would love the dady aminal

Tabathia B said...

I entered the gummy lump giveaway.

Kathy P said...

id pick the Dady :)

Kathy P said...

http://twitter.com/klp1965/status/8690487695

Kathy P said...

i love that they are 100% organic inside and out

SharonC said...

wayel... too cute

DEBIJOT said...

I like Brothr

DEBIJOT said...

blog follower

DEBIJOT said...

I love they are a simple toy, no batteries or instructions, and they are organic.

DEBIJOT said...

entered AllModern giveaway

DEBIJOT said...

entered gummy lump giveaway

EllieB said...

I would choose the Smal Bayr

EllieB said...

I am a google follower

EllieB said...

I am a twitter follower and tweeted at http://twitter.com/ellieb67/status/8701680675

EllieB said...

Each character has it's own story

EllieB said...

I have your button at www.talesofasweeper.com

Tylerpants said...

I like Duggy, my son would love him! tylerpants(at)gmail.com

Tylerpants said...

Entered your Carolyn's Kitchen giveaway. tylerpants(at)gmail.com

Tylerpants said...

I love that Aminals are made from all organic materials! tylerpants(at)gmail.com

Sarah Z said...

I really like Duggy! Actually I like them all!
Thanks
Sarah
believedreamcourage (at) gmail.com

Tylerpants said...

Entered your Eden Fantasy giveaway! tylerpants(at)gmail.com

trixx said...

Liun is my fave, what a cutie!

trixx said...

My fave feature is that they are organic and certified fair trade! :)

trixx said...

I entered the Carolyn's Kitchen giveaway!

trixx said...

I entered the Eden Fantasys giveaway!

trixx said...

I entered the GummyLump giveaway!

cman said...

Duggy :)

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