Ethical shopping- why I choose what I choose

I choose to walk an animal friendly and now earth friendly path in a world where we could all be a little kinder to each other.  I am not a professional or an authority on anything but if I can provoke thought and start a conversation on ethical shopping amongst my nearest and dearest I'll be happy.

Paul Mitchell- Cruelty Free Shampoo. A Review

I bought the color care shampoo and the strengthening conditioner. Paul Mitchell is an animal friendly brand and currently has the PETA and The Leaping Bunny cruelty free, does not test on our cuddly companions stamp of approval.

First the shampoo: I bought it on sale for $9 in Bed Bath & Beyond.   Participating in a normal shower routine, I reached for the Paul Mitchell Color Care Shampoo.  My first impression is that the smell isn't strong at all, it's pleasant but faint.  I pour a decent to average amount in my hand and go to work only to find my tools appear to be broken and my tools are not my hands.  

My Brain and Unemployment

This week has been a busy life week. A welcome change from the recent day to day norm. My limbo-land is finally drawing to a close. 

When you have ten to twelve hours alone with only your head and reruns of Grey's Anatomy for company you can discover a lot about yourself.  Meredith and Co. became my best friends.  I enjoyed my fantasies about Hunt and Sloan and which character I am most like on the show, but when the hour turns into three and four episodes this can quickly become old and unappealing.  I unearthed how both resilient and weak I can be at the same time.  A conflicting duality.  

Feminine Care - A review: whatever your preference … can you make it friendly?

This post may make the general population a little uncomfortable and the male reader a mixture of disgust and intrigue; but like a biology reproduction class or that unforgettable birds and bees conversation with your parents, it happens and needs to be addressed.  

I think there were two possible scenarios to your own birds and bees, his and hers conversation; either you totally knew more than you let on and were horrified, terrified and excited by the whole subject or you had no idea what this embarrassing and embarrassed adult was talking about and you were still horrified, terrified and excited. Awkward and as cramped as that may have been, "Menstruation", my period, flow, the painters, your friend, the visitors, me yolks, whatever you call your menses, is a bodily function and a monthly affair and I think it is an extremely important issue to talk about. 


The different choices of all the monthly feminine care products available was brought to my attention approximately one year ago.  I have to credit an old co-worker with  shining the light on this for me.  I shamefully admit that I was in ignorant bliss about the rag(e) pads.  I never really considered what happened to the used ones after I skillfully rolled them up like a thick cigar and strategically placed them in the bathroom bin so they couldn't be seen by other bathroom enjoyers and I blithely forgot about them and went about my day.  

This Business of Aging and My Quest for a Cruelty Free Hair Salon

This search made me a little apprehensive.  It was the very first time in my life I had considered going to a cruelty free salon.  It never dawned on me before.  

After salon visit

I sort of welcome the transition from the Spring years of life into my Summer season.  By sort of I mean, I had a meltdown turning thirty, but now a ripe old turrteetree I'm excited to embrace societal norms and settle into married life, put roots down, get a mortgage and have children.. alright steady on.. not that excited... yet.  Lets just pause at mortgage for the time being.    

The inevitability of aging, lets get physical.   

After salon visit

I am horrified and I mean aghast at the physical changes I have to contend with on a daily basis.  I saw a picture of my 23 year old self last week and as Cher so melodically put it "if I could turn back Tii - imme".  Youth is wasted on the young for sure, staring at that photograph I appreciate now what I really didn't then.  Don't get me wrong I am absolutely grateful every day for my health but I'd like this vessel that I travel around in daily to be just a Teeny. Bit. Shinier.  

You know how it is when you stand in front of the looking glass and you don't recognise everything reflected back at you.  You can't resist leaning in bit closer to further inspect every line, wrinkle and lumpy dimple.  Poems and tomes have been written about the age old discussion on aging.   

A Meatless Six Weeks..... My Vegetarian Voyage

Pescetarianism.  

I eat fish and so it is said I'm not a vegetarian.  Some serious googling was conducted to find out what the definitions are and what the etiquette and political correctness is around all of these labels.  I think vegetarians may take up arms with my self professed vegetarian-ness, so pescetarian it is. 
I am a peaceful person see but not ready to give up fish as well. A "green-eater" I have read is a person who avoids meat for environmental reasons.  That's me. 

If asked I say "I'm not eating meat, just trying it out, it's supposed to be good for the environment" to soften the side glances, roly eyes to heaven and the audible whispers "ah jaaayysus here we go, have ya seen yer one, gone all LA she has" followed by something else profoundly articulate referencing a meat injection, "Wha'?" says I, rolling me eyes to heaven.

As of this week I haven’t eaten beef, chicken or pork in 6 weeks and eating out has been fine in-spite of the vegetarian options in most restaurants being pretty poor. With that said I have had some delicious veggie burgers and fish dishes.  Used to it by now I can pick out the veggie alternatives straight away without having to scrutinize the menu. 

Grey, Gray Away- A rootless day

I'm getting to the root of the problem.... using....

• Mineral Fusion Gray Root Concealer

Yes I know I'm way too young and attractive to have to deal with the scourge of grey hairs... But we all have our cross to bear. Personally I think they could have been a little catchier with the name and called it something like "Away with Grey". I should consider copyrighting that if it's not gone already or "TM" as Phil Dunphy says; Trademark for those not au fait Modern Family, (TV show).

For all the vegetarians....wash yourself with cruelty free "Yes to Carrots"....A review

Be Cruelty Free (not tested on animals)

• Yes to Carrots body wash

• OGX beauty pure and simple -Coconut Milk Shampoo and Conditioner
• OGX beauty pure and simple -Quenched Sea Mineral Conditioner

To say that this body wash was put to the test and had a lot of work to do is an understatement. My attempt at a greener lifestyle with particular respect to this new found no deodorant or antiperspirant way is leaving a lot to be desired in an olfactory scents. It is now Day 16 and I'm wondering if my body is ever going to regulate itself.  Day 15 was a stinker.   I left the room with people wondering was there onion soup being served up somewhere...  anywhere?!

Frizz off - OGX Kukui oil A Cruelty Free Hair Oil

This was the first ever purchase on my quest for cruelty free products.

OGX Kukai Oil $9.99 CVS / $5.99 Bed, Bath & Beyond 
Tesco also sell OGX beauty pure and simple hair care products.The range includes shampoos, conditioners, hair masks and serums. 

Standing in CVS in San Diego killing time, I began my search for not tested on

animals products.  On first impression, I am completely overwhelmed with this brand.  They have what appears at this glance to be a million products with different oils all claiming to do the same or very similar thing.  I simply want a de-frizz and something nice for the dry ends of my hair.   I really don't know which product to go with so in the end I pick the promising "Anti Frizz, Hydrating Oil"

"I'm washing my hair". Review of L'Oreal Ever Pure Cruelty Free Shampoo

I was both delighted and shocked to see the name L'Oreal on a cruelty free list. However, it is only their Ever Pure line that is cruelty free, the rest of their products test on animals.  

Standing in Ralph's I was skeptical. I chose the option for coloured hair. I

opened the cap to do the obligatory sniff test and I was really pleasantly surprised and even more surprised with the price.  There it was smelling gorgeous for $7.99 (€8.99 Tesco / $5.99 Bed, Bath & Beyond) with the sought after claim of not testing on animals.  I practically ran up to the register so proud with my new found animal friendly choices.  

To home with me, to test I shall.