It is hard making the transition from brainwashed consumer to responsible consumer, indeed it is. However, once you realize what goes into the products you buy to wear and consume...the transition is much easier. I will be sharing some of my favorite products in the next few posts, this one is dedicated to BEAUTY & BATH!

Preserve Toothbrush
I can't say enough wonderful things about this company, their products, and their ingenuity! Not only are their toothbrushes designed sleek and attractive, they are made mostly from recycled Stonyfield Farm yogurt cups. Bonus: The company provides postage-paid labels so you can return the used toothbrush, which they recycle into plastic lumber.
Preserve

Preserve Triple Razor
One of the hardest products to find that are animal-friendly is a razor. The refills are cheaper than you'd think and, like the toothbrush, the razor can be returned for recycling to Preserve!
Preserve

Preserve Jr.
I'm not done with Preserve just yet...K uses the Jr. toothbrush and each package highlights an endangered species thanks for a partnership with National Wildlife Foundation.
Preserve

Tom's of Maine Natural Fluoride-Free Toothpaste for Children Silly Strawberry

K loves this toothpaste and that's a feat in itself!
Tom's of Maine

JASON Sea Fresh Plus CoQ10 Toothpaste
I have tried many natural toothpastes and this is, by far, my favorite! It has added CoQ10, blue algae, sea salts and minerals...under the taste of fresh spearmint! And since using this paste my gums have been much less sensitive.
Jason Natural Products

Organix Coconut Milk Shampoo & Conditioner
1. I love the smell of coconut. 2. I have a ton of hair and most "natural" conditioners leave my locks in knots. 3. This one smells like coconut and leaves my hair detangled! Win/win situation, folks! They also have a deal right now where they refund you the purchase amount, so you essentially try the product for free. You can't beat that! And I promise you'll just end up spending your rebate on more Organix hair products.
Organix Hair

Dr. Bronner's Lavender Liquid Soap
I use this for almost everything mentioned on the label, including spiritual enlightenment. I kid, I kid. I'm all about organic, all-natural, Fair Trade products and underneath the "mothership" jive it's a fantastic product. The calming lavender is great for a soak after a stressed day, works great as a shave lather, and makes my puppies smell non-canine and pretty! The peppermint scent is also great for a foot soak or pick-me-up in the shower. There are also great refill stations at certain stores.
Dr. Bronner's Magic Soaps

Alba Botanica Papaya Mango Exfoliating Body Wash
This is why I smell good.
Alba Botanica

Tom's of Maine Natural Sensitive Care Deodorant - Cucumber-Grapefruit
I gave Tom's deodorant a try years ago and wasn't that impressed, but I recently gave the newest addition to the Tom's line a chance...and I'm glad I did. I don't feel there is much more to be said about a deodorant than it keeps you dry and smellin' awesome.
Tom's of Maine

Organic Wear Natural Make-Up
I use the tinted moisturizer, loose powder, and blush. The moisturizer smells and feels incredible on my face, I look forward to the fresh feel it leaves behind. Both the powder and blush come in functional containers, made of recycled materials. No parabens, GMO's, or synthetics. And, of course, they don't test on animals.
Organic Wear

That's all for now. Check out the websites of these wonderful companies, if you aren't already familiar with them. I'm slowly making the transition to animal-friendly, eco-friendly products. I am still on the lookout for a good natural jet black eyeliner so I can give up my L'Oreal HIP Color Truth; it's been hard finding something comparable. Feel free to send me suggestions!

The Smashing Pumpkins, 8/21/08 @ Mizner Park, Boca Raton, FL

They ended the night with a cover of Mungo Jerry's In the Summertime, accompanied with kazoos, an accordian and a theremin. It was odd, and surprisingly rad at the same time.

This is old news, but get your Swedish furniture name here.

I went to the bookstore today to find a cooking book full of fun lunch box meals for K, but didn't find anything like it. I did grab the new issue of Dwell, Domino, and National Geographic's Green Guide, as well as a super discounted copy of Maira Kalman's The Principles of Uncertainty.

That's right, folks. Marked from $29.95 to $3.98!

Most books look drab and boring sans the jacket, but not this one!

I won't post a ton of shots from the actual book, but trust me...if you didn't follow her blog in The New York Times you really must check it out. It's full of daily observations ranging from sentimental to witty, as well as her gorgeous illustrations. If you love quirky, pick-me-up books, this one is for you! And at that price, why not check it out?

I went thrifting today and came home with these charming finds!

I found a 40-piece set of Bakelite flatware still wrapped for $15.

I found some fun butterflies for K's wall for .50. She is trying to decide what color she wants to paint them.

I love this wooden plaque for .50!

I found these glasses for $1.50/pair. LOVE them!

K's first day back to school!

A close-up shot of the messenger bag she picked from Target with eco-friendly drawings on it; however, it was made in China. Go figure.

Her second day of school is cancelled due to...(dun dun dun) Tropical Storm Fay heading our way, so I bought some "hurricane" food at the health food store. (K is sitting next to me gnawing on organic Nori sheets with me as I type this!)

The rest of South Florida is in severe panic hoarding all the gasoline, bottled water, and batteries they can get their hands on. If I hadn't been in the middle of Frances and Jeanne the restlessness of the locals would be almost comical. However, if you recall Katrina started off a Category 1 before she hit the warm, shallow waters of the Gulf and became the monster we remember her as. One should learn not to screw around with Mother Nature. So, we're just sitting it out until we know what Fay has in mind for us.

Wish us luck and I hope you're safe wherever you are!

Wow! I disappeared for way too long, didn't I? Life has thrown me some pretty intense curveballs lately, so please excuse the absence. How about a photo update?

For her 8th birthday, she asked to go to Mounts!

And we laid in the grass and watched airplanes take off to faraway lands.

I made ice cream cone cupcakes!

And the pinkest cake, ever!

And we sat around making faces that didn't correspond with our emotions.

We brought home clippings of wild-growing passionflower that seem to be doing fine! I'm crossing my fingers that they root!

We went to Florida Oceanographic Society for some stingray love!

I bought the Saarinen Tulip inspired Trumpet side table from Target. (Try saying that ten times fast!)

I promise to not be a stranger; no more posting hiatuses. :)