Featured Product

Here at Aldea, we love our local Californian designers. The abundance of talent aside, being loyal and buying local does many things to improve the community around you. First and foremost, regionally-crafted goods involve consumers in the education of the manufacturing process—with a good local product, you'll always know it was ethically sourced and humanely made. The other important reason that drives our advocacy for Californian designers is that it directly supports the community we call home. These locally-designed and made products are stimulating the neighborhoods and families in which we're surrounded, and at Aldea, that's what we're all about: community.

Check out some of our favorite mindfully-made products from California:

Baby Necessities
Lion Roar Plate: Whimsical, hand-drawn illustrations on earth-friendly, recycled materials; based in San Francisco
Orbit Baby Strollers & Accessories*: Designed by Stanford Product Design graduates turned dads
Petit Collage Mobiles & Art Cards: Laser-cut from sustainably harvested bamboo, an earth-friendly renewable resource in San Francisco

Barware
San Francisco Rocks Glasses: Designed and made in Los Angeles, printed with organic inks
Vintage Stadium Bottle Opener: Incorporates actual, authentic tokens, coins, icons and artifacts from Bay Area stadiums and sports teams; based in Berkeley

Bedding
Back-to-School Jersey Bedding Sets: 100% organic cotton bedding produced using fair–labor practices designed by studio founded in Point Reyes
Labyrinth Duvet Cover: 100% organic cotton bedding produced using fair–labor practices designed by studio founded in Point Reyes
Lace Percale Duvet Cover: 100% organic cotton bedding produced using fair–labor practices designed by studio founded in Point Reyes

Books & Stationery
The Conductor*: Chronicle Books, based in San Francisco
Edible Schoolyard*: about Alice Waters' Edible Schoolyard Project in Berkeley; Chronicle Books, based in San Francisco
The End Card*: Hand-drawn and letterpressed on 100% cotton rag in Los Angeles
You're Cute Cards*: Hand-drawn and letterpressed on 100% cotton rag in Los Angeles

Furniture
Storm Trooper Stool: Collaboration between San Francisco designers Labexperiment and Justin Godar; handcrafted

Fun
Handprinted Tribal Teepee*: Handprinted and handmade with organic cotton/recycled poly twill in Los Angeles
Backgammon Set*: FSC-certified Baltic birch, handmade in LA

*Pictured

Hydrating well is vital especially when you're busy running around, so why not do it in style? We've shown you our favorite products from this season's drinkware, and today we bring you the cleverest and most innovative ways to hydrate and drink on the go.

1. Bottles that roll away are such an annoyance, so why not get a bottle that's square? The sleek Square Clean Bottle not only incorporates an innovative shape into its design, it also fits in most cupholders. Not satisfied with just reinventing the water bottle, the designers of the Square Clean Bottle also made it incredibly easy to clean—both ends unscrew, so you no longer have to fear getting your sponges trapped inside!

2. Need to clean the inside of your bottle and can't reach? If you haven't yet been convinced to get the Square Clean Bottle, we have another solution for you: the incredibly adorable, amazingly handy Clean Beans. No longer will you get your hands or sponges stuck trying to clean the bottom of your bottles. All you need to do is drop these little bean sponges into your container, fill it up with an inch of water, then shake the closed container for 30 seconds. Easy as that and you have a squeaky clean (non-square) bottle!

3. Water bottles are great for weekdays, but on the weekends, you just need a flask. The classic Flask + Funnel is a time-honored accessory that is both boisterous and discreet. Engraved with lively expressions, this stainless steel flask can make a great gift or be your own personal lifesaver when the spirits run low. Effortlessly fill it up with the funnel accessory and guarantee yourself a good time. Salut!

From the luxurious to the exquisite, there are few things more satisfying than savoring a drink from an impeccably designed glass at the end of the day. Quality barware achieves several things: its weight feels flawless in your hands, it is at once simple and extravagant to look at, and drinking from it is a beautiful, organic process. Today we're delighted to bring you our favorites in this season's drink and barware, so kick back and celebrate with us!

1. Refreshing drinks with a delicate bubbly hint are the perfect segue from afternoon to evening. Hand-printed with organic ink, the elegant Zuzu Glass is a timeless piece of design that is both bold and tasteful. Add a splash of zest to your drinks with this graphic and chic glass.

2. Sweet mint tea never tasted better than savored in the magnificently deep sapphire of the Moroccan Blue Tea Glass. The delicate and geometric design of this glass will beautifully complement the curl of steam rising out of any beverage.

3. For our wine and spirits enthusiasts, no ordinary decanter will do. The exotic Gold Leaf Decanter is a one-of-a-kind, evoking golden mermaid scales and an aura of another time. Go ahead, appreciate your favorite spirits with elegance!

4. Have a love for unique, locally-bottled brews? Elevate the experience with the exceptional Crown Bottle Opener. Cast in brass directly from hand-carved waxes, the satisfying weight of this bottle opener is balanced by its functionality and precision. This finely made specimen is marked with character by its filing marks and raw, unfinished feel, perfect to pair with the distinctiveness of your truly original brew.

Wondering what you'll need for your newest family member? Themed baby registries are a great way to streamline the process of choosing exactly what you'll need. This week, we've come up with our favorite products for an organic, eco-friendly Green Baby Registry so your new family can be comfortable, happy, and environmentally conscious.

1. Rugs are the perfect way to bring quick comfort, warmth, and style to any kind of flooring, and the all natural Karoo Rug is perfect for bringing a touch of coziness to your new baby's nursery. Ribbed looped in a blend of wool and jute, this fresh and simple rug will fit wonderfully into any design you choose for your little one's room.

2. Quilts are not only great for snuggling and bundling, they also make the best keepsake gift. The SF Baby Quilt is made of natural cotton and thick 100% cotton batting, and involves a detailed process of custom printing a map of San Francisco. All the quilts are hand-knotted, available in three colorways and can be personalized to include your baby's name, birth date, and up to three locations.

3. Being wrapped in a thick, plush towel after a warm bath is one of the most comforting things to babies! The cushy Organic Cotton Bath Towels are loomed from pure, organic cotton in colors drawn from the earth, water and sky. Soft and thirsty, they're designed to absorb quickly and dry rapidly after each use.

4. Clever, creative lighting provides a great finishing touch to your new baby's room. The Utopia Elephant Lamp is a playfully chic and earthy piece from Peru made of brown stoneware that peeks through the delicate sheer white glaze. This unique little elephant provides beautiful, soft light and is a tactile delight for little hands.

For the second part of our bath time post, we wanted to give you tips on how to make bath time an extension of playtime. Find fun things to go into the bath so your little one will associate bathing as a fun activity, a time when they can play games while getting clean.

1. Instead of having your little one be afraid of getting into the water, show them all the fun they can have in it! Oxo's Whale Pail is a great tool for the bath—the fun holes in the side let your little one see the showers of water raining down while you scoop up the bath toys using its convenient wide mouth. The Whale Pail also has useful little sunction cups on its underbelly so you can store your bath toys inside it, then stick the pail onto the wall until the next bath.

2. Underwater toys introduce clever ways to teach your kid the first concepts about the bottom of the ocean. The Submarine by Green Toys is a great, submersible toy that encourages your child to explore the terrain at the bottom of the tub! The Submarine is made from 100% recycled milk containers that save energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, making the little vessel both earth-friendly and kid-friendly!

3. What better way to play in the water than having a toy that both floats AND scoops up water! The adorable Tugboat from Green Toys is a brightly colored super-floater, complete with a comfortable handle for those mini kid hands and a round spout in the front to get perfect streams of water to shoot out during bath time.

Bath time can be potentially scary for new babies, so we've come up with a set of tips for you to make it fun for you and your little one. In the first part of these tips, we'll go over ways you can make bathing as comfortable as possible so your baby can relax and enjoy themselves as they splish and splash in the tub!

1. Having a safe, contained space is key to comfort when bathing your little one. An expandable tub like the Naked Collapsible Baby Bathtub by Boon makes bathing even more convenient by allowing you to enlarge the tub as your baby grows from an infant to a toddler. Bathe your little one in five easy steps: recline it, expand it, drain it, collapse it, and hang it up to dry—easy as that!

2. Being scrubbed down can be pretty uncomfortable, so make sure you're washing your baby with fabrics that are as soft as possible. The downy and durable cotton Splish Splash Washcloths are incredibly gentle on your baby's skin and actually get softer with each wash!

3. An infant's skin is extremely sensitive, so it's very important to use soap that is both mild and natural. Dr. Robin's Soothing Body Wash & Shampoo is a tear-free body wash and shampoo that is incredibly gentle and created with all-natural ingredients so you can keep your baby squeaky clean and happy!

4. The last part of the bath can be the most comforting—being dried off and bundled up in thick towels is a perfect segue to cuddling up for sleepy time! The Bubble Hooded Towel is a super cozy hooded terry towel so your little one can feel safe and comfortable in their warm, dry little terry cocoon!

With the America’s Cup in full swing, our biggest design inspirations this summer have been nautically inclined. From the salty sea breeze in our hair to the balmy evenings, we’re not ready to let go of summer just yet. Extend the season by bringing the beach house to your home with some of our favorite maritime inspired products.

1. Anchor Pillow – Printed with a beautiful vintage monotone anchor, this cozy pillow is made of 100% Jute – the perfect accompaniment to a good book and a hot cup of tea.
2. Mediterranean Bath Towels – These generously sized khadi bath towels are made from the softest organic cotton, making them lightweight and amazingly absorbent. Treat yourself to the art of bath with these luxurious yarn-dyed towels.
3. Glass Coral Top Jar – Now you’ll have a place to keep your little ones’ beach day loot – listen closely and you’ll hear the surf collected in this coral lid jar.
4. Lighthouse Schnapps Set – This cleverly designed lighthouse carafe will keep you and your first mates three sheets to the wind. Set includes a 20 oz carafe, natural cork wine stopper, and 4 hand blown, stackable glasses.
5. Lakehouse Rug – You’ll swear you’re on vacation every time you sink your feet into this durable and comfy rug striped in classic navy and white.
6. Floats My Boat Buoy Toy – Fido never has to leave playtime at the beach with these floating, non-toxic rubber chew toys, sure to keep your furry first mate entertained for hours.

With a new baby on the way, figuring out what to get for your little one can be a headache. One of our amazing associates, Vajra, is an expecting mom and has compiled her favorite essentials for new parents. We hope this list will serve as a useful guide for stocking up on necessities for your new baby!

1. Get excited about your new baby's personality - stock up on onesies that compliment their bright smiles like the Long-Sleeve Romper from Winter Water Factory. Manufactured and designed in the US, Winter Water Factory’s long-sleeve romper is the perfect one-piece outfit and comes with a lap neck and 7 snap buttons, perfect for getting your little one cozy in a jiffy.
2. Carrying babies can get tiring, so make it as ergonomic and comfortable as possible. The Organic Baby Carrier by ErgoBaby is a perfect fit for women – it has great back support for moms, as well as ample support for your little one’s hip development. This baby carrier allows for dual carrying positions so you can have your baby in the front facing you, or on your back.
3. Rest is so precious and important to new parents, and the Luca Glider is a beautiful, modern chair is great for energy-deprived new parents – it provides amazing back support and aids in the sleeping of your newborn. Not only will these chairs look wonderful in your nursery, they are also incredibly comfortable, functional, and can transition easily from the nursery to the living room after your little one grows up.
4. Haven't found the right diaper bag yet? The Pronto Changing Station by Skip Hop is a portable changing pad that will work anywhere, so you can keep this low footprint pad in whichever bag you’ve got. Complete with a travel case for baby wipes and pockets for storing diaper cream, this changing pad is a must have (even if you just keep it in the car).
5. If you’ve been around a baby before, you know they’re always grabbing at mom’s hair, earrings, necklaces… Chewbeads are the perfect necklace for helping moms feel a little brighter and for letting teething babies chew on something organic and soft. Instead of grabbing your hair or earrings, give them something fun and appropriate to teethe on with these stylish Chewbeads.
6. Every expecting parent who walks through our door looks for the perfect stroller, but in reality, there is no perfect stroller – there’s only the stroller that’s right for you. The Navigator Stroller by Phil & Ted’s is a great all-around stroller for first-time parents because it manages multiple terrains and is able to accommodate two kids if you decide to expand your family.
7. A comfortable, breathable swaddle is crucial especially for kids who don’t like being swaddled. Mela Bamboo Swaddles are perfect lightweight blankets that can serve a huge variety of functions from a soft blanket at the park to a stroller drape to block the sun.

It’s midweek and we’re pretty excited for the upcoming Labor Day weekend, so we thought we’d put together some of our favorite products to help you pack for some fun. These long weekend essentials are sure to get you relaxed and refreshed:

1. Picnic Basket for 2 – This braided banana leaf picnic basket contains stylish al fresco service for two – great for lounging beachside or laying out on a grassy knoll with some cheese and wine.
   
2. Beach Sounds Portable Speaker – Bring your own personal soundtrack to the beach with this brilliant radio and speaker box that’s both water and sand resistant so you can jam while you get that tan on.
   
3. Disposable Cotton Napkins – These cotton napkins are not only stylish and affordable, they’re also re-useable up to six times. Made from 100% cotton, these napkins come on convenient perforated rolls – no more flyaway napkins!
   
4. Flask + Funnel – How can a weekend away be complete without a flask? These chic stainless steel flasks are engraved with different boisterous expressions and are the perfect companion to any weekend getaway. Flask + Funnel = New Best Friend.

The first day of school doesn't have to be a hard one with these tried and true favorites for your little ones. Start the year off in a fun way with some of our favorite and most popular items for school:

1. Animals A-Z Alphabet Art Cards by Petit Collage - Help your young ones discover the alphabet with 26 large-sized cards. These fun and interactive cards will have your kids discovering the alphabet through animals from alligators to bears, to yaks and zebras.

2. Eco-Friendly Lunchbox Deluxe by OOTS – This sleekly designed lunchbox is a modern take on an American Classic – and eco-friendly too! These cool, contemporary lunch boxes come with 5 smartly stackable containers (4 small, 1 large) so you can pack all the healthy snacks your little one needs.

3. Chelsea Cardigan by Appaman – Cardigans are not only staples in every little girl’s wardrobe, they’re also functional and versatile, keeping your little ones cozy in any climate.

4. Mellow Jean by Munster – Your little punk rocker will be the hippest kid in class with these bold skinny fitted jeans, complete with spunky ankle zipper details.

5. Bugface Hoody by Munster – Get your kids ready for a little masked mischief with this playful zip-up sweatshirt. Hood down for class time, hood up for playtime!

6. Later Gator Pack by Mad Pax - This pack is part punk, funk and a dash of double dare. The 3D inspired backpack is the perfect fusion of fashion and function, allowing kids of all ages to express their inner creature.