Earth Friendly Archives
Save the earth with this Earth Friendly Tote - one plastic bag at a time
Ever since I saw An Inconvenient Truth I've been trying to be a little more gentle with mother earth. One of the things I'm doing is carrying reusable tote bags everywhere I go. This handmade Earth Friendly Tote Bag made with organic cotton by Julie-Marie has definitely come in handy.
I leave it in my car, and whenever I hop into a store (which happens, like, ALL THE TIME!) I roll it up and stick in my purse. When the time comes for my purchases to go into a plastic shopping bag, I whip this baby out and decline the shopping bag. While it puts one less plastic shopping bag out there in the earth, it's much sturdier and larger than most shopping bags and even better - I'm not adding to that annoying bag of plastic bags that live in the closet.
And it makes for a great Christmas present for any earth loving recipient on your gift list.
Why not check out all the other cool stuff at Julie-Marie, they've got makeup bags,
tote bags, drawstring bags,
tissue holders and a whole lot more.
Posted by Megan on December 9, 2007 | Comments (0) | Tell a friend
Scrub up with 100% Pure
Winter has arrived, and this means most of the moisture in my skin has dissipated, leaving my face pale and lackluster. To get my glow back I decided I needed to exfoliate. This may seem obvious, but I’m somewhat dubious of facial scrubs due to my sensitive skin.
Even those that claim to be gentle can (and have) rubbed my face raw. But a recent purchase of 100 % Pure Cherry-Honey Facial Polish has done wonders to improve my opinion – and my skin. Skin is polished with jojoba beads, which are perfectly rounded so they don’t scratch or irritate your skin.
The product comes in a tub filled with two distinct layers. Simply grab a handful, making sure to get some from both layers, and massage gently onto damp skin. The rounded beads, plus honey and crushed berries combine into paste that works to slough away dead skin.
It leaves my skin super-soft and not at all red or irritated. I use it once a week, but those without sensitive skin could use it more often. I am also loving this product because it’s made sans-chemicals, with all-natural ingredients. Happy scrubbing!
Posted by Jessica on January 9, 2008 | Comments (0) | Tell a friend
The Squirrel and the Hedgehog by Mod Cloth: A delightful story
If you're going to go green, you might as well go cute while you're at it. Am I right ladies? Fellow A Girl Must Shop-er Janet (who knows all about my obsessions with all things squirrelly) sent me the link to this squirrel and hedgehog tote by Mod Cloth and I simply must have.
I can certainly justify the purchase since it will help with my resolution to go green this year. I can see it now - The squirrel, the hedgehog and me, living in peaceful harmony.
Posted by Megan on January 17, 2008 | Comments (2) | Tell a friend
Wake up with white tea - for your face - by Bod
As much as I would like to be, I am not a morning person. It takes me a while to get going in the morning, so I need as much help as I can find to jump-start my day. I have recently found a small pick-me-up in the form of Bod White Tea Cleansing Gel.
Along with my can't-miss-it cup of coffee, the subtle citrus scent of this gentle cleanser always seems to start me off on the right foot. Above and beyond the energizing scent, I love the fact my face feels really clean after I use it, without the drying effects of other cleansers. It rinses clean away, which is one of my top criteria for a good cleanser. If it seems to take a long time to rinse it all off, or leaves a residue, I'm not a fan. This product though, lathers nicely, feels great on my skin and rinses off easily. Plus a little goes a long way, which is always a bonus.
My morning coffee now has a partner in crime to help motivate me out of bed in the morning!
Posted by Jessica on January 15, 2008 | Comments (0) | Tell a friend
Avacado and Bananas are good food for your skin, too!
If it happens to be winter where you live, and that winter happens to be cold, then you probably know the havoc cold temperatures and even colder winds can wreak on your skin. And if winter wherever you are doesn't involve snow and cold, let me just say I am jealous! But all petty jealousies aside, I am here to gush about a face mask I've been using to combat the drying effects of winter on my skin.
Upon waking up with a rather ruddy, flaky complexion after spending most of the day outdoors, I knew it was time for a skin-saving SOS. For me, that SOS is Juara's Avacado Banana Moisture Mask. I know it sounds more like something you might eat, but trust me, avacados and bananas are also great food for your skin.
The unscented mask is rich and smooth. I usually use this once a week, spread a generous layer all over my face (save for the eyes and mouth), relax for 15 minutes, then gently rinse off using a face cloth and warm water. Afterwards my skin is soft, smooth and feeling great. I find once a week is perfect but the box says twice a week is fine. I probably won't be using this in the summer, when my skin stays fairly hydraded on its own, but in the winter I need (and appreciate) the extra moisture-boost this mask offers. Here's to food for you - and your face!
Posted by Jessica on January 22, 2008 | Comments (0) | Tell a friend
Fruity facial toner wakes up your face
I love the facial toners that come in spray bottles, because I feel you can use them any time of day, many times a day, to refresh and wake up your skin. This is probably why I go through the stuff like it's water! My latest purchase, which I love, is Pangea Organics Italian Green Mandarin with Sweet Lime Facial Toner. They have several other varieties, depending on your skin type, but this one is designed to refresh tired skin and calm inflammation.
It has a slightly sweet, citrus scent so spraying it not only perks up my skin, but me, too. Hmm...maybe that's why I'm always spraying it. Seriously, I carry this stuff in my purse. I find it's a good hydrator, and refreshes my make-up after a long day. I also use it as my post-wash, pre-moisturizer step.
This is the first time I've tried a Pangea Organics product, and I might have to check out the rest of their line. Ingredients are chemical and preservative-free, and you can even plant the box! I have yet to try (there's snow on the ground where I live) but the instructions just say to plant the whole thing and watch it grow. When spring hits I'll try it out.
Posted by Jessica on January 30, 2008 | Comments (0) | Tell a friend
Cleanse and exfoliate in one with Suki
I realize I can be fickle with facial cleansers. Even if I find one I love, I'm always on the look-out for one that's even better. I just can't seem to commit!
On my latest shopping excursion to check out beauty products I decided to give Suki Pure Skin Care a try. They make a wide variety of natural skin care products and I went with the Exfoliating Lemongrass Cleanser.
It comes in a jar and is actually hard to the touch. You have to dig your finger in to get a dime-sized amount and then massage it between wet hands before working it into your skin. For a product that starts off hard and grainy, a little water and friction turn it into a super-soft, gentle foam that literally melts into your skin. Talk about luxurious. The tiny grains exfoliate and then seem to disappear as the foam takes over. It rinses easily and smells amazing - vibrantly lemony and a little sweet. Yum! No, I haven't tried eating it, but I have been known to open the jar just to smell it. My skin seems to love this cleanser, feeling soft and looking brighter after I use it.
This is now my new favourite cleanser, and I vow to finish the jar before going off to see what else is out there. But once I do, I'll be sure to share my latest and greatest cleanser finds!
Posted by Jessica on February 26, 2008 | Comments (0) | Tell a friend
Go Green for Lunch
Posted by Deborah on March 6, 2008 | Comments (2) | Tell a friend
















