The Numbers Are Strong – END Cosmetic Animal Testing

An exciting poll published by the Human Society International tells us that people worldwide want to end painful and cruel cosmetic testing on animals.

I’m smiling.

The HSI and the Humane Society of the United States teamed up with their partners, #BeCrueltyFree and LUSH Fresh Handmade Cosmetics  to take a worldwide poll in major cosmetic markets such as Brazil, Canada, South Korea, Japan, Taiwan and the US.  The numbers were staggering.

“61 percent agreed that animal testing “can cause pain and suffering to animals and it is not worth causing this kind of suffering just to test the safety of cosmetics, especially when there are safe ingredients already available.”   And this was the lowest percentage in the poll.  You can read the full report here but the response is overwhelmingly in favor of ending this testing once and for all.

If you’re not already aware, animals like mice, rabbits, rats and guinea pigs are put through great pain.  They have substances dripped into their eyes, shoved down their throats and smeared on their skin.  You guessed it — PAIN, BURNING, ITCHING. Than they are killed.   And for what?  Shampoo, mascara and other cosmetics.

I know what you’re thinking.  Aren’t there already safe ingredients that cosmetic manufactures could use?   Yes!   Can’t cosmetic companies use natural and organic ingredients that would completely eliminate their “need” for animal testing?  Double yes!

So why do they continue to test on animals?  I for one would love to hear their answers and how they would justify torturing and killing a living being.

I’m a firm believer that animals are not ours to abuse, hurt, torture or injure in any way or for any reason.  With the knowledge and ingredients that are out there today, this is a completely unnecessary practice.

I don’t know when we became a society that believes it’s ok to take another living being and hurt it.  I read about the angora rabbits and cried so hard seeing the horrifying pictures and reading about the torture these animals go through.  When did it become ok to rip the fur from live bunnies, only to throw them back in a cage and do it all over again once their fur grows back?   (Warning – the photo on angora rabbit link will shock you.)  Yes, another completely unnecessary practice and all for the sake of fashion.

But I’ve regressed and I don’t want to take away from the highlight of this piece.   It seems that the world is becoming increasingly aware of the unnecessary need for animals testing and pushing for their countries to ban it once and for all.

I sign petitions, tweet stories and support animal right groups that I’ve mentioned in this piece.  I hope that you will take a moment to do the same.

Will you help to end the cycle of torture?

 

 

 

 

 

 

Clean Gums Never Tasted So Good

Ok let’s keep this short and sweet.  You need to floss every day for healthy gums and teeth and to keep dragon breath at bay.

But let’s face it, flossing is boring and you’re pretty limited in your choices.  Waxed vs not waxed.  Mint vs cinnamon.  Thin vs thick.  Eh … boring!

Until now.

I’m diggin’ a new floss created by two Bay-area sisters, Cocofloss.  Not only is it organic, non-toxic and earth-friendly (triple yay!) but the flavors are exciting.  Think coconut that makes you feel like your on a tropical island with pina colada in hand.  Sweet strawberry that is super yummy and fresh.  And of course, gotta have a delicious mint.

Buy one or a pack of three to try out all delicious flavors.

Flossing just got fun.

 

Are You A Drugstore Beauty ?

It’s been hammered into our heads since we were in our twenties and continues each morning as we open our mailboxes and read the importance of beauty products.  What’s hot, what’s harmful, and what you absolutely positively cannot live without.

In each step of your beauty regimen you must have the right products to exfoliate, cleanse, hydrate, replenish, purify, and of course, banish wrinkles.  We’re told to sleep with a humidifier with our pillows covered in silk cases so our must-have eye cream can do it’s job.  There’s a ritual before hitting the sack to ensure you wake up refreshed and looking beautiful … before you start your morning beauty routine.  (Not to be confused with the nighttime routine)

There are the tried and true methods and the ones we are just hearing about.  Everything from Pond’s Cold Cream, that grandma used each night, to the new Botox creams that promise to give you an instant facelift, sans the injections.

I admit.  I love beauty products.  The hope of buying a jar or tube of cream that will wipe away my wrinkles, rehydrate my skin, and bring back my youthful glow is too hard to resist.  So we believe that to achieve results you have to shell out the big bucks.  $100 plus creams are not atypical when chasing the Holy Grail of beauty.

But through my own experimentation and the help of other bloggers and beauty editors, the reality is … there are great beauty products on the market that work just as well, if not better, than those expensive creams.

There’s an awesome article in Cosmopolitan that talks about 19 amazing drugstore products that you should be using.  When I read the article, I realized that I use a lot of these products and love them.  They are the frugal picks in my beauty routine that get me results without emptying my wallet.

When my hair needs volume without being to stiff or sticky?  This is my go to product.

A must have for my nails several times a week.  Keeps them healthy and strong.

I couldn’t live without my at-home micro-dermabrasion kit.  This stuff is da bomb!

There’s others on the list that I use and love and some that are new to me, which I definitely plan to try.

What would I add to this list?

Roc’s Deep Wrinkle Night Cream which I snag for a whopping $21

My FAVORITE scrub – Freeman Charcoal & Black Sugar Polishing Mask for under $4

And good ol’ fashion Johnson’s Baby Oil for under $6 to keep my skin silky smooth

 

 

The point is – you don’t have to spend your entire paycheck on expensive beauty products when you can snag some great result-generating products at your local drugstore.

What’s your must-have drugstore beauty product?

What’s Trending from the Runway? Silver

Hot off the runway and onto your computer, your condensed booklet of what you’re sure to be seeing in stores for the spring.

The verdict?   Silver

Obviously that just one of the many trends for the coming season, but I for one am happy to see that shiny color on the runways.   I personally choose silver over gold every day of the week and twice on Sunday.   It goes well with just about every color and I think it’s hot, hot, hot for spring / summer fashion.

Apparently, I was ahead of the fashion curve because last year ECO Chic launched the Silver Metallic Urban Shopping Tote.  I happened to stumble across this gorgeous Italian-made utility fabric that is the perfect amount of glam with the slightest stretch to it. I saw it and fell in love.  I quickly paired it with a gorgeous turquoise poplin for the bag’s lining and zipped it up with some soft dove gray trim.  Viola!   The Silver Metallic tote was born and since it hit the market, it has been one of my top sellers.

So if you don’t think you can pull off any of these runway trends, no worries.  You can still be on-point by toting around this silver bag.

For the full collection of spring fashion trends check out this slideshow courtesy of Harpers Bazaar.

 

The Excessive Cost of Beauty at the Golden Globes

Yes, I’ve been known to hunker down on the couch to watch the red carpet studded with glamorous Hollywood movie stars for the Golden Globes or the Oscars.  It’s fun to see the dresses, the jewelry, the entire put-together look.  Gorgeous actors dripping with jewels wearing amazing gowns as they effortlessly strut their stuff for the cameras.

In the weeks before and after the Hollywood awards season you can’t read a blog or fashion magazine without hearing about the “must have” spa treatments these beauties must undergo before hitting the red carpet.  Than there’s the dress.  The designer, the fittings, and the stylist.  Top that off with jewels, manicures, hair stylists, makeup artists and security …. and you’re left with one hefty price tag.

Approximately $40,000.    That’s just $13,657 shy of the U.S. median household income in 2014 .

Excessive?  Other than those on either side of this award show prep coin, I would say most people would agree.

So what exactly costs $40,000?    According to Leah Bourne of the New York Post, the breakdown goes something like this:

• Hair:  $6,000
• Dress: $12,500  (The dress is actually free.  The cost is for fittings and the ever so important stylist)
• Make up: $5,000
• Nails: $300 (Wow – I thought paying $20 for my manicure was expensive!)
• Jewelry: $20,000 (Again, the jewelry is on loan.  The cost is for security and insurance)

Doing the math that actually comes to over $43,000.

What would most people do with an extra $40,000?   I’m sure things like fund their retirement account, buy a house, set up their child’s college account and things like that would come to mind.  But hair, makeup and spa treatments?   Even for Hollywood that seems nothing short of excessive.

Beauty doesn’t come from a jar or a brush or the perfectly styled outfit.  That’s not to say these stars shouldn’t partake in pampering and styling before the show. If I were going to be positioned in front of the cameras for millions to see I certainly wouldn’t want to be applying my own make up or doing my own hair.  But I definitely wouldn’t be paying those prices.

Just think of the good that would come if each Hollywood celeb donated half of what they would pay to a charity or to those in need.

The price tag for Hollywood glamour.  A necessity or an over-the-top extravagance?  Let me know what you think.

A New Denim Fad for 2016 ?

I swear I’m not a Gigi Hadid stalker.  I just love her style.  Lately she’s been a spotlight in my fashion blog posts and this one is no exception.

Her latest fashion statement is one I will definitely be replicating … Graphic Jeans.  She was spotted in Paris sporting these glam jeans that add the perfect amount of coolness to an otherwise understated outfit.

Top designers, like Stella McCartney are joining the trend too with a variety of styles.

Now, I do see the downside of this trend.  People will start creating their own graphic jeans and go way overboard with their designs.   We saw this with the ripped jean fad.  Most where tastefully done.  I won’t lie.  My closet is housing a few pairs of torn jeans.  But others took it overboard , eh hem …   I mean seriously.  Why even wear jeans at this point?  And you’d better make sure you don’t have grandma-knees when you’re sporting these suckers.

 

For the graphic jean trend, I definitely think less is more.  Be selective with your graphic and  placement, otherwise you’ll look … well … you’ll get that little black bar across your eyes.  (Yeah –  you know what I’m talking about)

Graphic Jeans.  Hot new trend or bad idea?   You decide.

H&M’s Upcycling Program

Upcycle:  [uhp-sahy-kuh l]

verb (used with object), upcycled, upcycling.

1. to process (used goods or waste material) so as to produce something that is often better than the original:

I upcycled a stained tablecloth into curtains.

 

Thanks to a friend I learned about H&M’s global garment collection initiative.   H&M, the Swedish based fashion company, was the first in the industry to launch an garment upcycle program where people can bring in their used clothing in an effort to reduce waste and have it turned into a new, useful product.

Simply bring in your clothing and it will either be sold as second hand clothes, turned into another product such as cleaning cloths, or turned into textile fibres or used as insulation.

The reasoning behind this program?  H&M is determined to “Close the Loop” on the huge amount of waste from discarded fashion.  Approximately 95% of clothes that we throw out can either be re-worn or recycled.  That’s huge!

And digging a little more into H&M’s philosophy, I find that they work hard to promote sustainable fashion and reduce their impact on the environment.  They don’t own factories but buy their products from independent suppliers who are their partners, working together to bring long-term improvement to both people and the environment.

I’ve always been a fan of H&M.  I love their clothes because they are on-trend but reasonably priced.  I have several pieces from their shop that I continue to get compliments on each and every time I wear them.  Learning about their upcycle program just makes me love them even more.

 

2016 Goal – Save Money & The Planet

Plastic Is Taking Over Our Oceans

What you are about to read will shock you … and it should.

According to a new report from the World Economic Form and the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, by the year 2050 the ocean will contain more plastic than fish.

Plastic garbage collected from research plot to assess plastic pollution, Eastern Island, Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge, Northwest Hawaiian Islands

Yes … more plastic than fish.

Here’s another shocking statistic.  A new study from the Ocean Conservancy has determined that aside from fishing gear, plastic bags are the number one killer to seabirds, sea turtles and marine mammals.  Sadly, marine animals often confuse plastic bags as food and therefore die either through ingestion or entanglement.

We are slowly but surely destroying our beautiful oceans and the marine and wildlife that live there.

Here’s another crazy statistic.  Currently, only 14% of plastic is collected for recycling.  This is according to the World Economic Forum.  This compares to the global recycling rates for paper, iron and steel which are all well above 50%.   So what’s the problem?  Why can’t we come up with a solution that will reduce the amount of plastic in the environment and increase recycling percentages?   It appears that each player in the plastic making chain, from suppliers to manufacturers, needs to work cooperatively in coming up with a solution to eradicate this problem. Currently, they can’t get on the same page.

Without a solution, our oceans and marine animals are doomed.

I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again.  YOU can be a part of the solution by starting to reduce, reuse and recycle each and every time.  Stop using plastic bags completely.  Find a reusable shopping bag that you like and use it each and every time. (I just so happen to have a company that makes reusable shopping totes to help solve this very problem)  Eliminate your use of plastic water bottles and grab a reusable one instead.  I personally love my Yeti and use it for everything from water to hot tea.  Recycle your recyclables.  (that’s a tongue twister) If everyone does their part while the plastic makers and suppliers come up with a bigger solution, I know we can make a dent in this problem.   At the very least, you’ll probably save a sea turtles life.

Be part of the solution, not the problem.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

German Shepherd Dumped Over His Size

I was (and still am) heartbroken when a friend forwarded me this article from the Examiner via Facebook.   Apparently on January 8th this beautiful German Shepherd was dumped at the Carson Animal Care Center by his family.  Why did they turn him over to a shelter?  According to the family, “the dog grew too big”.

Wait … what?!?    You mean your German Shepherd Dog grew out of his puppy size and grew into a full-sized German Shepherd?  How dare he!

I am outraged.  Truly.  I have a German Shepherd who I rescued at the age of one and a half years.  He was dumped after having been mistreated by his owner, thankfully at a wonderful center called German Shepherd Rescue .  The woman couldn’t handle his large size and after neglecting him, brought him to the center.

When I found my dog, Wolfe, he looked just as sad as Oso looks.  No dog understands why their “pack” abandons them, but a GSD even more so.  They are such loyal dogs, sworn to live, breath and protect their pack … so when they are abandoned, they take it really hard.  My Wolfe was sad, refusing to eat, skin and bones, and very sick.   It took a while for him to realize that I wasn’t going to leave him or hurt him as his previous owner did.  Within a few short months, he was healthy, gaining weight, and realizing that he was loved and part of a pack … forever.

Today, we can’t imagine life without him.  He makes my little girl squeal with laughter when our 85 lb plus GSD tickles her with his nose or plays hide-and-seek with her.  He is my rock and has been there to lick my tears, listen to me complain, protect me and make me laugh.  On my saddest days, he’s right by my side, unconditionally.

 

Every dog owner, scratch that, every PET owner has a responsibility to their pet to care for them and take care of them.   That is the pact you make when you buy them, adopt them, or rescue them.  Part of that responsibility is knowing the breed before obtaining them to ensure they are a right fit for you and your lifestyle.  There is plenty of information online to ensure you can find the right pet for you.  Anything other than that is simply irresponsible.

To take in a pet only to abandon them later is nothing short of cruel.

Unfortunately, I cannot take in Oso, otherwise I would.  So I feel it’s my obligation to help him find his forever home by spreading the word about his sad story.  My hope is that he will find a loving family who will appreciate him for who he is instead of punishing him for it.  I know in my heart he will have a bright ending to this sad time.

Please share his story and give a voice to those without.