be my baby!

Got a Babies R Us near you? Well, grab that purse/wallet and run on over! method lust reader Katie informed me over the weekend that she stopped into her nearest Babies R Us and found method Le Scrub for drum roll... 98 cents! It wasn't even listed as such on the shelf, and she didn't even realize what a deal she'd snatched up until she went to check out!

So needless to say, I had to do a quick run, and let me just tell you, it was like walking into a foreign country. I was actually uncomfortable in Babies R Us. Ha ha! I was like the odd man out! But anyway, ignoring all that, I found a slew of deals! I'm talking 98 cents Lil' Bowl Blu (my two stores were all out of the Le Scrub, in fact there was only one bottle of Lil' Bowl Blu, and it was just in some random area that didn't even have a tag!), $1.98 sweet water wet dryer sheets (the old school ones!), fuzzy peach kids line for $1.98, $4.98 free + clear squeaky green laundry detergent, and $1.98 smarty dish cubes! Ka-ching!

And (can we talk competitors for a moment, shh...) they also carry lots of Seventh Generation products, and a ton of them were on clearance. Dish soap, dish cubes, fabric softener (in free + clear! Hello, method, I bought TWO of these! Word to the wise, when your new fabric softener comes out, I pray there is some free + clear in there. Cause that was always my previous problem with the other version you had. I guess I'm the crazy one, cause I lust scents in everything, EXCEPT my laundry items. I must have detergent and fabric softener in free + clear. I hate my clothes to smell like anything! Yes, I'm weird. So I don't really ever use fabric softener, but when I found this I had to pick it up cause it was yes, once more, free + clear!) as well as spray cleaner, rinse aid for your dish washer, and more! AND it was $1.98 each, WITH a buy one Seventh Generation product (even clearance!) get one at 50% off price! Hello, did you hear that?! Hello!

Now like I said, double check the prices (they have price scanners in Babies R Us, and Toys R Us, which will usually have a small Babies R Us section) cause they aren't always priced as cheaply as they ring up! Good luck hunting, and thanks Katie!

I ended up with one package of method dish cubes, one Lil' Bowl Blu, and two jugs of Seventh Generation fabric softener (80 loads!) all for a grand total of $6.36! Deal-e-oh!

makin' a splash!

The otters are back! (Sorta, temporarily, kinda for a bit) But this time around, they're making a splash at your local Big Lots!

I did a little roaming around a nearby Big Lots tonight (always scouring to see if method has decided to get rid of some oldie but goodies! Every time I hope and finger cross that I'll find me some frosted fir candles, or hand wash, or eh, anything frosted fir. But so far, no luck! Random, yes!) But what DID I find in the beauty section of my Big Lots - Otters! Since method has now given Mr. Otter's job to Mr. Penguin (remember how on daytime soaps they'd say sometimes, when an actor or actress wasn't able to do her role for a couple days "The role of Mr. Otter is now being played by Mr. Penguin." Remember? Oh, does anyone even watch daytime soaps anymore? Eh. I guess not, since they're all being cancelled. Ok, enough rambling. Riiight.)

You can find it all. Bubbly bath (picked some up, smelling awfully rice milk + mallowy as I type this!), crisp apple and fuzzy peach body wash and 3-in-1 shampoo! Keep in mind at least at my store, the body wash was with the body wash, and the shampoo was actually located elsewhere, of course in the shampoo section (so even though the bottles look identical, they did place them in content specific areas, unlike at Target.) So if you're hunting for some baby/kid method goodies, now's your chance! Mine were only $3. a piece! Have fun! And of course, let method lust know if you happen to find any other method goodies at Big Lots while you're out and about!

look who's brand new!

Well, well! Looks like someone's gone and gotten themselves a little... plastic surgery! OH oh, get it? Plastic. Surgery. I swear, folks! I'll be here all week! I hear the veal is really good (if you're into eating things like that, which, really, you shouldn't be! Baby. Cow! That's all I got to say! Wait, where am I? Oh, yeah...)

It would appear that method squeaky green kids (and possibly baby) line is getting a make over! Off goes the otter, in comes the penguin! The other thing you'll notice is the squeeze bottom is gone, replaced with a flip top lid. I swear, I know I know I've heard it from you all before. But I just think the squeeze bottom is such a great idea, one day method is going to get it right and it's going to stick! But until then, I guess it's more flip tops.

I only saw the crisp apple body wash, and 3-in-1 shampoo in this new bottle (with the 3-in-1 shampoo announcing it was an easier rinse formula!) I'm not sure if this new bottle will be kids + baby product wide, or not. (Though I'm guessing the answer shall be yes.) Look for it soon at your favorite Target!

What do you think? Squeeze bottom? Flip top lid? Otter? Or Penguin? Let us know!

remain calm

Slight Update So, while I don't have any specific news from method to tell you yet (sometimes even they don't know, and have to do a little research! Who knew?) I will say that as of this moment only one of the three Targets around me have the listed method items on clearance. But as I've said before, every Target store runs on it's very own clearance schedule (something I've always thought was mighty weird.) So, I have a feeling that sooner or later, the others will catch up. If you happen to see a bunch of method products go on clearance, let method lust know!

I don't think this is a case of Target no longer carrying method products; more so they're just clearing a large group of them out. BUT that's never a good thing (less opportunities to find the items!) I did see that white tea body wash was part of the clearance as well (I missed that one on my list below) and it looks like the baby line is safe. More info. as I get it!

+

Alright everyone. Breathe deeply. We'll get through this together, I promise.

Ok, on my latest trip to Target, I've discovered the retail store seems to be decimating their method line! Clearance stickers out the yahzoo! I'm talking the omop, omop all purpose floor pad, omop wood pad, omop sweeper duster cloths, glass, granite and stainless steel microfiber cloths, go naked dish soap, go naked and pink grapefruit smarty dish cubes, almond flower creamy hand wash, almond flower body wash, squeaky green kids crisp apple body wash, fuzzy peach body wash (I didn't get a chance to check out the baby line), almond flower and white tea soap bars, and more! All on clearance! Gah!

What's going on here? I'm checking with method and will soon have a report back to let you know if these are going away at Target (forever?!), or making room for updated product (which would be the case with the dish cubes, I'm betting, since they're in new pouch packaging.) More information as it becomes available (cue news bleeps here!) These are only on first markdown at my local Target (but markdowns vary store to store.)

leaves 'em clean and toxin free

Kelly Leahy over at Green Daily has a nice review for the new method kid shampoo 3-in-1!

"I more conscious now of what soap and shampoo I keep around for the kids. I try to fight my cheap frugal ways and buy healthier options, even if it hurts. During my last trip to target I two small $9 bottles of baby shampoo and conditioner in my basket when I came across Method Kid Squeeky Green 3-in-1 Shampoo in Fuzzy Peach scent for the pleasing price of $6.99.

The shampoo, conditioner and body wash promised no "numbing agents," parabens, or phthalates. The solution looked like a winner so I threw it into my cart. I use quite a few Method products and it's a brand that I trust. I found all of the ingredients listed online and at the very least, the packaging was fun (I'm a sucker for packaging, what can I say?).

Method Kid shampoo was also a winner in practice. My two and a half year old just now has enough hair to require conditioner but fights every time water gets poured over her head so I like the fact that one bottle does double duty. The fact that it triples as a body wash is an added bonus.

I did find that the scent was a bit strong but remember, I had been using Dr. Bronner's unscented baby soap so any fragrance was going to throw me off. A more thorough rinsing was required than before but that's normal with any conditioner. This product also comes in Crisp Apple scent.

All in all, I am very pleased with this product due to its availability (I can't always make it to specialty shops to buy soap), list of ingredients, and friendly face."

me thinks

Upon using my delicious fuzzy peach squeaky green kids 3-in-1 shampoo the other evening, a thought popped into my head (and this doesn't happen very often, so run with it Nathan, run! While you still can!)

Ok, so method debuts both a squeaky green kids (I'm just focusing on the kids line here) 3-in-1 shampoo (which is body wash, shampoo + conditioner), and a body wash; one each in fuzzy peach and crisp apple.

Target (at least mine) has chosen not to carry the complete line, and has dropped the crisp apple 3-in-1. (They're only carrying three of the four products.)

I think method needs to simplify. We've already gotten the 3-in-1. I think the name should be changed to methodkid 3-in-1 body (instead of the current methodkid 3-in-1 shampoo. - Cause shampoo doesn't really cover it when it's body wash, shampoo + conditioner in one.) I'm not sure why they decided to put out a separate body wash, when the body wash was already included in the 3-in-1. AND this would free up store shelf real estate; allowing them to either debut another new scent (and Target would carry all three), or bring out a kids bubbly bath (cause kids love bubble bath as much as babies! Perhaps moreso!) I just feel the kids line has a bit of redundancy at the moment. Moms, do you agree? If you had a choice of 3-in-1 or just body wash, which would you choose?

we big heart you

Alright, so this week sucks. Major style. Like, a whole lot. Between some H.E.L. and L. that's been on going at work this week (and late nights!), my neck being so out it's not funny (joyful chiropractic stuff; oh but wait, the doctor is out this week!); and a tooth that has turned half my face into looking like I'm chawing on a giant wad of tobacco (which I don't do, blah! But my lower jawbone and cheek are so swollen from a major tooth issue/ache; and does it hurt? YES IT DOES! Dentist, today at 12:30, I can't wait) this week just blows. So I just wanted to let everyone at method know how you completely made my entire week, and especially Wednesday evening, so much brighter! Thank you!

I got home late Wednesday, and a package was on my doorstep? And ta-da! Look what it was! New method squeaky baby stuff! Yay! I'm telling you, it made my night! Look at all the cute packaging, and booklet that was included!

The package contained two items, 3-in-1 kids shampoo in fuzzy peach scent, and the baby hair + body wash in rice milk + mallow.

That baby pic is so adorable! The booklet is a flip over; meaning one side is baby, then flip it over, the other side kids! So cute! It reads:

(baby side) "if you ask us, all babies are perfect. most of their days are spent napping and smiling and making little tiny noises. their little chubby bodies are plump and marshmallow-y. they're yummy. they smell great (most of the time.) even their messes are cute (sort of.)

all they really need is a little maintenance to stay naturally perfect: a gentle bath and a bit of diaper cream to keep their bottoms smooth and non-irritated."

(kid side) "in an ideal world, toddlers and kids would be little bundles of pure joy all of the time; all smiles and laughter. they'd almost never cry. they'd make little teeny-tiny messes. they'd smell naturally yummy like apples and peaches. it would be easy to keep them squeaky clean. they'd be perfect.

in the real world, they're a little more unpredictable. they're creative and resourceful and that's what makes them fun. that's also when spills happen and there's dirt to deal with. because your kids work hard at having fun, we've created a fun line of washes that are 99% natural and 100% hard-working."

So I decided to give them a try! Ha ha! I couldn't resist. The fuzzy peach 3-in-1 shampoo (body wash, shampoo, and conditioner. Makes you wonder why we buy three different products when apparently one works just as well?) smells wonderful. I still feel it has an undertone of vanilla; but overall the scent is of a ripe peach, but very light. - Not overpowering at all. It's a really nice scent, once I got to actually try the product. I washed my hair with it, as well as myself (well, half myself, saving the other half for the baby hair + body wash!) While it doesn't lather as much as the adult personal care line (and I realize lathering is bad for the environment, anyway. But I'm so used to it. It's crazy how people get conditioned about certain things and ways. Crazy!) it still worked great! Easy to wash off, too!

The baby hair + body wash was also a big recommendation! The scent is definitely mallow (as in marshmallow); but again, it's so very subtle. - In a great way! It's an extremely light scent, perfect for babies. Not too sweet, just light and clean. Worked great as well, about the same thoughts on this one as I had on the 3-in-1 shampoo. I felt perhaps the bottle was a little small in amount (8 oz.) compared to the 10 oz. 3-in-1 shampoo; since they cost the same at Target (ok, well wait, I haven't seen it in the store yet, so I could be wrong. But it costs the same on the method home site.) I didn't use the cup that comes with it (I'm a little too big for a wash cup, ya know?) since it's for washing off the soap/shampoo on your babies; but it looks like it'd work great.

Overall two wonderful products! I've already shared a coupon with one of my friends, who just had a baby! (Push that method!) Personally, I can't wait to try the crisp apple scent next, I'm gonna go buy some soon! Great products! Great scents! Give'em a try!

review - kids fuzzy peach 3-in-1 shampoo

Tiffany sent us this thumbs-up review of the new method kids squeaky green personal care line; in particular the 3-in-1 shampoo! Check it out:

"Hi! We just tried the new Method Kids 3-in-1 in Fuzzy Peach, and it was great! My son is 2, so all we really need is a combo product, and this one really delivered (and smelled good too!). When he was a baby, we used the Aveeno baby, but with all the phthalate issues, we recently switched to the Burt's Bees Baby Bee wash. That, however, seems to be very drying- my poor son got all these dry spots, which he'd never had before. His skin even felt dry just getting out of the bath!

So, we tried the new Method Kids (no baby product yet in our Target), and think it's great. Son loved the scent (orange, he says! OK, I thought it smelled a little orangey myself, but either way it smelled really nice, but not overwhelming at all). Foamed up just right, washed out quickly and well. And the washing out quickly and well is pretty important, because what toddler likes having water dumped over their head repeatedly? Once or twice maybe, but that's it! And that's all it took with the Method (you don't want to know how many dumpings the Burt's Bees took....) So, my review is great product, good price, easy-to-use (and cute) packaging, nice but not overwhelming smell that seemed much more moisturizing than previous products and was just right for us. Loved it!"

Thanks! Got a review of a product you'd like to submit to method lust? Send your review to: artist@nathanaaron.com

method's having a baby!

According to method's home site, they're having a baby! And it's gonna be the best smelling baby ever! And, it's going to look like an otter... ok, well, uh... No, but wait, it's the most adorable otter you've EVER seen! Trust me!

Apparently method's new baby + kids line will be available for purchase on method's site on Earth Day, which happens to be April 22, 2008! So get ready, and don't fear, we're expecting a smooth delivery! (How far can I go with this baby stuff? Oh don't you want to know!...)

Curious if anyone has seen the baby line in stores yet? The kids line has hit my Targets; but the baby line has yet to show up. Come on bubbly bath, come on! Don't you just love saying bubbly bath. It's just so squeezy!

PS - The bottle is in the shape of a cute rolly poly otter! Hence the otter comment. Yeah, you thought I was just weird, didn't you? Uh huh, don't lie, it's true. I am.

an interview with Sangita Forth

Sangita Forth is method's Baby + Kid Brand Director, and she has this great interview over on The Cradle:

"Method is known for their stylish, biodegradable cleaning products that not only are good for the earth – they also look good out on your counter!

Now gearing up for the launch of their baby personal care line in mid-April, The Cradle caught up with Sangita Forth, method’s Baby Brand Director, to learn more.

The Cradle: What kind of baby products will method offer?

Sangita: method is launching a line of eco-chic baby and kid personal care products for moms who want style and substance every day. All of our formulas are 95+% natural and are beautifully packaged to fit into a healthy, modern lifestyle. The baby collection includes a hair and body wash, diaper cream, bubbly bath and body lotion, and the kids’ collection includes a 3-in-1 shampoo and conditioner as well as a body wash in two different fragrances, fuzzy peach and crisp apple.

The Cradle: What makes these products earth-friendly?

Sangita: We were very mindful of the ingredient selection in our formulas as we wanted to make our formulas as simple, clean, and safe as possible. They are at least 95% natural, meaning that these ingredients come from natural resources and are free of parabens, pthalates, SLS, and SLES. They are also biodegradable and never tested on animals. Plus, all of our packages are recyclable.

The Cradle: Being that method is known for their stylized packaging, what look should we expect with the baby care products?

Sangita: We saw design as a huge opportunity in the baby personal care category and were focused on designing products for the adult sensibility that are simple, sophisticated, and appealing to both parent and baby.

Our baby design is inspired by the egg because it represents nature, simplicity, and purity – elements that we wanted to include in our design. Our baby hair and body wash is probably the most “innovative” in that Josh Handy (the package designer) incorporated a wash cup into the bottle design. Most parents have a big plastic cup in the bath to rinse their kids and it usually stays in the tub. Our wash cup can be stored back on the bottle after use. Our products also deliver one-handed functionality as parents typically only have one hand free to bathe their kids.

Our kids’ washes and baby bubble bath (all in the cute otter package) is bottom dispensing with a unique valve that allows parents to simply squeeze the bottle without having to tilt the bottle or replace the cap.

The Cradle: Tell us about your role in helping to develop the baby care line.

Sangita: We work in cross-functional teams, called "pods," at method where each function lead drives the development of the baby collection as it relates to their functional area.

My role is to identify the opportunity, drive the strategy, and ensure that the final product not only delivers on that strategy and method’s core pillars but that we are delivering products that will delight our existing advocates and draw new advocates to the brand.

The Cradle: Why should consumers buy method’s baby products as opposed to the multitude of choices out there on the market? What makes you stand out from the crowd?

Sangita: We are the only brand that delivers premium, 95+% natural products that are stylish (both from an aesthetic and functionality standpoint) and with fragrances that capture that newborn smell. Our products were developed by and for moms who wanted to create a product that is completely safe to use on a baby’s delicate skin, offers superior performance, and looks and smells great – all in one package."

lovin' the method manimal!

Maybe that's the new name we should give to the method kids/baby line bottles! I thought it was originally a person; but it turns out it's some sort of animal; hence, manimal! (Hey, anyone remember THAT tv show? Man, those were the days, those were the days. Ok, yes, I'm a geek. And if you remember Manimal, you were too.) Ok, so maybe we SHOULDN'T name it the method manimal; but anyway, Rachel Weber over at Fog and Whistle (with the cutest header ever! That font, be it cut paper or not, rocks!) has this to say about the new line:

"I am giddy, ridiculous giddy as I write this morning’s blog post. And if any of you knew this already and hadn’t blogged about it, SHAME ON YOU!

Method has come out with a new line of baby products. I love Method, and who doesn’t? Check out the cute packaging!

I came across this on Apartment Therapy’s Ohdeedoh blog, and they wrote that someone out there has an entire blog about Method. Now that’s some serious dedication.

The baby line is called Squeeky Green and the scents are Fuzzy Peach and Green Apple. The infant product line has hair & body wash, bubble bath, diaper cream, and lotion and the children’s line has 3-in-1 shampoo and body wash.

I can’t wait for my Target to get these in!!"

And yes, Rachel, I am seriously dedicated! (Or insane, I'm not sure yet. I'll get back to you...)

Some comments from her post included:

"Cute packaging indeed. I haven’t seen it in the UK though.. and even though I don’t have children, I still like looking at baby products as I have sensitive skin! .. When I was young, my mother always used Johnsons & Johnsons."

"Wow, packaging really “makes” a product doesn’t it! Cute!"

"ahh! i love method products!
my sister is having a baby in august- and she is so getting these at her shower!"

"That packaging is gorgeous!..."

UPDATE The bottle is in the shape of an otter! Just read that in the Sangita interview (see above!) Aw!

it's here, it's here, it really is here!

No more phooeying for me! I stepped into Target last night, and what before my wondering eyes did appear (ok, ok, I know, Christmas is so over! But it's only 259 days 'til Christmas 2008! Stop, stop throwing fruitcakes at me, I'm just the messenger! Ok?!) Uh, anyway, I don't know how we got onto Christmas, but the new method products were out! YAY! But you know, finding new method products is just like Christmas, don't you think?

The entire moisture lounge line was out and on display, Olive Leaf, White Tea, and Almond Flower body wash, and body bars. I'll be very curious to see how it sells. I did do a little price research while I was there, and the only other body wash that was selling for the $7.49 price (which is what method's new line costs; but you get a gigantic 18 oz!) was Aveeno. All the remaining items were around $5.99 or less (including a humongeous 23.6 oz. Oil Of Olay body wash!) so I'm very curious if people take to the (what I believe is) more product, less repeat purchasing = less packaging/shipping, but at a slightly higher initial price. Anyway, it looks and smells great!

And sitting right next to them were the method kids squeaky green line! Now, in true Target style, they are (at least at my store) only carrying three items, both body washes, and the 3-in-1 shampoo in fuzzy peach (not crisp apple.) WHY Target does this is beyond me? But hopefully these items will be sold in other stores, as well; and we won't have to worry about purchasing them online.

Oh, the "people bottle" as I've been calling it, it's a cute "animal!" Animal is in quotes, cause I"m not sure what kind it is exactly; but it has a cute knobby tail, and whiskers, when you get up close to the packaging! So awesome! And since the packages squeeze from the bottom, they are sealed up with a special plug to prevent leaking; making it difficult to smell the great scents. But never fear, method has put scratch and sniff stickers on the bottoms of the bottles! How clever is that! I love it! Crisp apple smells just like it's name. MAN, it smells great! Fuzzy Peach was a little different from what I expected, but still smells wonderful! It sort of reminds me of a peach/vanilla mix. It's not a true clean peach smell. Both rock! They go for $6.99 each. As of this post, the method baby line was not in the store. It looks like the kids line will be in with the adult body wash, while I'm thinking the baby line will be in the baby wash aisle (since they have an entire separate area for this, at Target.) I checked it out, but no go. But I just know that bubbly bath will be in, very soon!

Check them out, they're on their way! And let me know what you think of the great new products!

squeaky squeeze

I've just gotten notice that the new kids line (at least the cute "people" bottles) squeeze and dispense from the bottom, just like the old school method dish soap bottles! I personally think this is great! But I also had a question.

The new line consists of body wash, and 3-in-1 shampoo. The surprise to me is, the 3-in-1 shampoo is a shampoo/conditioner/and body wash in 1 (hence the 3-in-oh you know.) Hmm? I wonder why they did this. My thoughts are, if they've put it all into one, that single style body wash is sorta gonna get left out in the cold, like a stood up date? Do you like the 3-in-1 idea? Or would you prefer to purchase your body wash separately? Personally, I've never been a shampoo/conditioner in one kind of guy. Throw in body wash? I'm not sure... but I think the 3-in-1 idea will go over big for moms and dads! So why the separate body wash? What are your thoughts?

because I said so!

Oh my gosh, the new method baby personal care line is almost here! And I got news to dish! In fact, it's a baby AND kids line! And it's freakin' adorable!

Check out this great new line from method, expected in stores mid-April! First off, those bottles. They are in the shape of little people, with giant mouths forming the labels. OH... MY... WORD... I can't deal. It's just too cute. I find this packaging to be so inspired! It's excellent!
The kid line comes in Fuzzy Peach and Crisp Apple scents, and features 3-in-1 shampoo (shampoo! I'm thinkin' if they're making it for the kids, can adults be far behind! More on that in a bit...), and body wash! The 3-in-1 shampoo is actually body wash, shampoo + conditioner in one! It's 99% natural, pediatrician tested (does this mean they tested it on pediatricians?), and is hypoallergenic! The body wash is listed as a gentle cleanser, and also lists being 99% natural and hypoallergenic! Great news for sensitive skin!

The baby line consists of hair + body wash, bubbly bath (that is SO mine, I don't even care if it's for babies! We adults demand bubble bath, method! Demand! Well, pretty please?), diaper cream and body lotion! They come in Rice Milk + Mallow scent. These items are listed as gentle, non irritating, tear free, hypoallergenic, and pediatrician tested. All are 99% natural, with two exceptions, the body lotion and diaper cream are listed as 95% natural. I'm not sure what the 'non-natural" items are, but I'm sure given method they're still great! I'll see if I can get more info. on that. (*see below.)
Also, if you'll notice, the line is called squeaky green! Hmm, that sounds vaguely familiar? HMM, really now? Seriously, the whole line looks great, and I've already called up and mentioned that my nephew, Jake, would be getting it ALL! (Ok, well maybe not ALL of it, since he's, well, not a baby anymore. But definitely the kids line!) So get prepared, throw out the old bath items (or just donate them nicely to someone else. Then tell them about the new method line, they'll run out and buy it, donate the items you donated to them, to someone else; they'll tell them about method, and before you know it, it'll be like a fruitcake, sent around the world, but as uh, donated bath cleansers. Ya know, always given, never used! Cause they'll be runnin' out to get this great new method line! Ok, yeah, just go with me on that one, alright?)

These sound great, I can't wait to check them out in the stores! Crisp Apple, you are so mine! (I mean, I'm buying that for little Jake, yeah, that's what I mean. Right, uh huh.)

UPDATE From Felicia, at method: That last 5% in the diaper cream comes down to a few things including an active ingredient called dimethicone; it works to heal any sensitive baby bottoms, but is not a naturally-derived ingredient. It's one of the times when we have to choose the non-natural ingredient for the greater good of our littlest advocates. Thanks Felicia!