not an athenian

Follow My New Baby Blog!

2010-09-10T12:42:00.000-05:00

Click here for the link and I plan to start posting a lot more frequently, especially once the baby is here and I actually have experiences to post about!

Bathos Review

2010-02-09T20:40:00.001-06:00

After mfluder suggested Bathos on the Fashion & Beauty board, I decided to order a couple of their products to try. She said she had success with their Rx Complexion Soap, so ordered that and the Nereid's Clay Mask.

Here is what the soap looks like [from their site because I forgot to take a photo]:

It is pink from the calamine it contains, which you might remember if you've ever had the Chicken Pox or Poison Ivy. Here's the full ingredient list:

Lye, olive oil, coconut oil, palm kernal oil, calamine powder, vegetable glycerin, and a blend of essential oils including, tea tree, Rose de Mai absolute, and lavender.

What I really like about their products is how natural they are and how homemade everything seems, while still being nicely packaged. I have to admit I haven't used this as my sole facial cleanser so I can't say much for how it works long-term, but I do like how soft it makes my skin feel. I definitely didn't have any adverse reaction to it and I would definitely recommend it to someone looking for a natural acne solution [probably not over the Best Bath Store Acne Facial Bar, though].

Now for the Nereid's Clay Mask. While I really like it and think it's great for me, I would not recommend this if you are sensitive to tingly sensations on your face! I like that this mask came with a cold pack [it has to be refrigerated] and will last for 3-4 months.

I tried it as soon as it came in the mail. I used way too much the first couple of times but I probably won't be able to use it all before it goes bad, so I guess it doesn't matter. You really only need this much to lightly cover your entire face and throat:

Anyway, it is fragrant and cooling and for the most part refreshing. The only thing some people might hate is that it tingles. If you can get past that, I think you will really like this mask. I love that it contains -again- all natural ingredients and bentonite clay, which is great for bringing out impurities in the skin. I left it on for 15-20 minutes each time. I actually used it several times the first week or so and did notice that my skin was clearer and had slightly less redness. FYI, I'm wearing Sephora by OPI in Dark Room here:

I just thought of another negative with this: it can be a little difficult to wash off because of the pieces of sea kelp. It's not a big deal, only slightly annoying if you're in a hurry or something.

Overall, I will be ordering again from Bathos as they have so many interesting products but I hope they will lower their shipping rate [I believe it was $9 for any size order when I bought these]. Other than that, I am very happy with these and thank you, mfluder for suggesting them!

Sephora by OPI Brainiac Nail Polish

2010-01-26T17:40:00.000-06:00

Recently I decided to branch out and try some new nail colors that I wouldn't normally wear. I wanted a creamsicle orange, something more sophisticated [if orange polish can be that] than a bright orange. I also wanted a color that wouldn't totally wash me out.

Anyway, the other day while I was picking some things up at Sephora, I came across this in the sale nail polish section. It cost around $5 and was the only color even close to what I was looking for.

It's darker than a creamsicle but I am surprised at how much I like it. I put it on last night and already got a compliment on it... from a straight man.

It's still brighter than I'm used to but less harsh than a bright red. Don't overlook the sale bin!

Chanel Blanc Ceramic Nail Polish

2010-01-26T17:20:00.000-06:00

I have a couple of bottles of this that I bought a few years ago when white nail polish was a big trend. I am very fair so I usually go for either very pale or very dark colors. I normally never have my nails painted but one of my resolutions for 2010 is to be more 'put together' and I think nail polish is a good way to do that.

I painted my nails with this the other day. It is a very sheer pearlescent white and required 3 coats.

Because I am very bad about chipping/ smudging wet nails and I'm impatient, I dipped my nails in ice cold water about 10 minutes after I applied the top coat. I had read about that in a DIY beauty book several years ago and decided I needed all the help I could get.

I guess it's ok but I think it's too light. I'm also not a big fan of waiting around for 3 coats to dry. Once before, I painted them with OPI Alpine Snow and then did a coat of Blanc Ceramic on top. I think I prefer that for a more opaque color and fewer coats.

rms beauty review 2

2010-01-26T17:02:00.001-06:00

Because I was so impressed with the "un" cover-up, I decided to try more from rms beauty. I ordered the lip2cheek in muse and got samples of it in promise and modest. I also received a sample of the eyeshadow in solar because they were out of the darker color I wanted to try.

Here is a photo of the samples:

And here they are on my [super pale] wrist:

I really like all of the colors and how pigmented they are. The lip2cheek colors have a noticeably thicker consistency, though, than the smile color did. They feel almost like a chopped up lipstick.

I like both of the cheek colors equally and that it takes only a tiny bit to cover both cheeks. I still think I prefer the pink of smile, though, and am considering ordering the full size.

As for the cream eyeshadow, I am very impressed at how pigmented and sparkly it is. It is a very bright gold and would be great all over the eyelid. I rarely wear eyeshadow so I've only put it in the inner corners of my eyes and to line the bottom lashes but I like it.

Now for muse...

It's not as pasty or opaque as it appears on my finger but it's so sheer that without so much, it wouldn't photograph. It is much lighter than I expected, about a shade darker than my cheeks. It has very slight shimmer but I don't really notice it when it's on my face. I think it's great for an extremely natural-looking cheek color.

Here it is on my wrist:

I'm a big blush fan so most of the time I will layer a pink color over this but I really like it as a base color that isn't too much.

Overall, I still think I need to order smile but definitely recommend muse for a very subtle color.

Purchase it for $36 from Nature of Beauty or directly from rms beauty.

rms beauty review

2010-01-14T16:59:00.006-06:00

Rose-Marie Swift is a New York City makeup artist who suffered for years from illnesses caused by her constant exposure to toxic cosmetic products. She began losing her hair and her memory, suffered from anxiety and panic attacks, and dealt with hormone imbalance, sleep problems, and candidiasis. When her weakened immune system finally landed her in the hospital, her doctors began to take her seriously.

According to her website, "she learned that her body had toxic levels of heavy metals including aluminum, barium, cadmium, lead, and mercury as well as high levels of pesticides, solvents, and other chemicals." When a lab technician read her test results and asked her Do you work in the cosmetic industry?, Rose-Marie's quest for natural, healthy makeup alternatives began. Until then she had had no idea that cosmetics could contribute to such serious health issues."

In 2008, Rose-Marie launched rms beauty, a makeup line made from organic, raw, natural ingredients. The ingredients used are listed here:
Minerals
Coconut Oil
Cocoa Butter
Shea Butter
Beeswax
Jojoba Oil
Castor Oil
Argan Oil
Sunflower Oil
Propolis
Vitamin E
Rosemary Extract
Centella
Vanilla

All the makeup comes in glass pots and can be easily applied with the fingertips. The products currently available from rms beauty include:
"un" cover-up, a concealer available in 3 shades
lip & skin balm
lip2cheek, a blush or lip color available in 6 shades
cream eye shadow, available in 6 metallic colors
living luminizer, a sheer illuminator for the face or body

Upon discovering this brand a couple of weeks ago, I scoured online reviews of the various products to decide what I should try first. I ended up discovering The Nature of Beauty, an online retailer who sells rms beauty [among many other natural makeup brands] and offers samples with a purchase. If you spend between $15 and $75 like I did, you receive 3 samples. Of course, if you spend more, you get to try even more things.

I actually didn't know that until after I placed my order and their wonderful employee Terri emailed me to let me know that they would not only include a sample of the "un" cover-up [which I ordered] so that I could try it and return the unused product if the color was wrong, but that I could also choose 2 other products of theirs to sample.

I received the concealer in 11, the lightest color, and received samples of the lip2cheek and the living luminizer. Luckily and surprisingly, the "un" cover-up [that's annoying to type out] did match my freakishly pale skin tone. I really like the texture and that it doesn't look like makeup at all.

While I don't have dark circles, I am very fair so sometimes tiny blue veins can be visible through the skin under my eyes. I patted some on to see what it would do and, somehow, it seemed to brighten up my whole face.

As much as I love it, this is not the product for you if you want a heavy, full-coverage concealer. While it covers well, it is not going to give you the same look that caked on makeup will. The good part is that the ingredients will help your skin become healthier and look better as you use it. Rose-Marie calls her line 'skincare with mineral color' so if you think of it that way, it will help you transition from the days of powdery, pore-clogging makeup.

Next, I tried the lip2cheek color in smile. As an admitted blush addict, I absolutely LOVE it! It is a sheer pink color that looks great and not at all like a traditional blush. It's more pinkish than Benetint and really does look like a natural flush. It also stays on my skin all day, which I totally did not expect. Note: the 'smile' lip2cheek color is the only rms beauty product which contains a synthetic ingredient. rms beauty says on their site that they will continue to reformulate it until they can find an all-natural way to create the color.

Finally, I was very excited to try out the much-hyped-about living luminizer. It feels very silky and glides easily onto the skin. It looks great on the cheeks, browbone, and down the bridge of the nose. It shows up on the skin as a pearlescent white color and gives a dewy sheen.

All in all, I highly recommend this brand to anyone interested in trying it. I just placed another order for the lip2cheek in Muse [which I read on another blog is similar to the living luminizer only in a more natural color] and samples of the eyeshadow in solar and more of the lip2cheek in promise and modest. I will do another review once I try them!

Find more information about rms beauty at rmsbeauty.com and read about natural makeup and skincare at beautytruth.com. If you decide to order, rms beauty sells their makeup directly from their own site, but I recommend ordering from The Nature of Beauty if you buy the "un" cover-up, as it costs $3 less from them.

Lolita Lempicka L

2009-12-22T14:42:00.004-06:00

I posted last month on the Nest Fashion & Beauty board asking for help finding a replacement for the discontinued Stila Creme Bouquet that I had worn since 6th grade. I got some good advice and added a few of the suggestions to my Sephora wish list.

Anyway, one of my birthday gifts last week was Lolita Lempicka L from my husband. I absolutely love this perfume! I expected to hate it because I don't like most perfumes I try but it is absolutely wonderful! It's very feminine in my opinion and is definitely not for everyone. Someone had remarked that it was too sweet and I can definitely see that. I am a big fan of vanilla and cinnamon, though, so it's perfect for me!

In addition to being thrilled at finding something I actually like, I was surprised at how long it lasted. I sprayed it on myself once when I opened it and woke up the next morning to smell it very strongly. It lasted that day until I took a shower.

Probably also expecting me to dislike most of the perfumes on my list, my husband told me to expect more of them for Christmas. Now I'm afraid I will have to return them all because they won't smell as good as this one! I will definitely do more reviews on my blog as I try them.

Everyone has individual likes and dislikes and fragrances certainly smell different on each person but if you are looking for something new, at least try this one in the store. The bottle is so pretty, it's almost worth buying just to have it on your shelf.

As a side note, when I placed an order from Sephora recently, I decided to get a sample of Hanae Mori Butterfly because so many people suggested it. To me, unfortunately, it was unremarkable and the EDT didn't linger very long. A lot of people love it, though, so it's definitely worth a try if you want to try something new.

Blusche Cosmetics Brushes

2009-11-23T13:25:00.001-06:00

I love the Too Faced makeup brushes because they are so soft, animal-friendly, and work very well. I was so close to ordering the set they have from Sephora when I came across Blusche Cosmetics. Their brushes are also synthetic and ridiculously inexpensive.

I ordered a few samples of mineral foundation [which I also love- they have so many shades to choose from] and the Eyeshadow/ Concealer brush to try because only costs $4.75. I am so happy I did that and am now ordering all their other brushes for myself and to give as gifts.

Not only are Blusche's products inexpensive and animal-friendly, they are eco-friendly too! Another great thing was that my items shipped very quickly and my whole order with shipping was less than $10!

In case you have never used synthetic brushes before:
They don't shed
No animals die to make them
They are easy to clean
They don't irritate skin like animal fur
They can last forever with proper care

I highly recommend you try these brushes and see for yourself! Quality makeup tools don't have to be expensive and animals don't have to give their lives to make them.

Photo is from Blusche Cosmetics Website

Skincare Tips

2009-11-18T19:58:00.009-06:00

It is so important to cleanse, tone, and moisturize according to your skin type and be consistent with your skincare routine.

Supplements

While you should discuss it with your doctor, consider taking Vitamin E, Vitamin C, and Zinc supplements. They can all help give you healthy, glowing skin, and may also help avoid colds.

All Skin Types

It's best to use mineral water to wash your skin whenever possible. The fewer pollutants in the water, the better the results will be. That said, most of us don't or can't do that all the time so just do what you can and keep that in mind.

Drink plenty of water, at least the recommended 8 glasses per day and more if you exercise or spend a lot of time in the heat.

Always splash your face with cold water after cleansing to shrink your pores.

Avoid using sunblock when you don't need it, especially in the winter. While it's important to protect your skin when you are in the sun, you otherwise don't want to put unnecessary chemicals on your skin.

Whatever toner you use, apply it liberally to your skin and let it air dry. Do the same with water after cleansing when possible.

Always moisturize! It is essential even for oily skin and can even reduce the amount of oil your skin produces. In my opinion, the best thing to use is something natural and that is easily found at your grocery store. Also, don't be afraid of using oils on your skin. I suggest reading about the Oil Cleansing Method for moisturizers to try.

When moisturizing with any type of oil, always make sure you buy extra virgin and cold-pressed. Cold-pressed means it hasn't been heated so it retains many of its original nutrients and vitamins.

Exfoliate once or twice a week but make sure not to do it too often. Make your cleanser a scrub by adding a pinch of brown sugar or oatmeal to it or just use the sugar/ water mixture by itself.

Use a mask that is appropriate for your skin type once a week to moisturize and refresh your skin.

Rice Water

Any time you are planning to cook rice, make rice water and keep it in an airtight container. It will last for a few days before you need to throw it out and it is great as a refreshing skin mask, toner, or to use when you wash your face. I instantly notice a difference in how smooth my face feels after using it.

Toner Suggestions

Many people of all skin types have reported success with homemade toners. I suggest diluting with water first to make sure you don't overly dry your skin.

Aloe vera

Apple cider vinegar

Chamomile tea

Champagne or sparkling wine

Cucumber water

Green tea

Lemon juice

Rice water

Tea tree oil

Witch hazel

Because I love DIY skincare and Michelle Phan's videos so much, here's another one. It shows how to use champagne or sparkling wine as a facial toner. A mini bottle is the best idea since you just need a little bit and will only be able to use it once before it goes flat.

Champagne Facial

Dry Skin

Never use hot water as it will dry your skin out more. Use lukewarm [and if possible mineral] water only.
Moisturizer: Olive oil, coconut oil, or safflower oil
Mask: Avocado, olive oil, and a little bit of lemon juice

Oily Skin

Avoid toners with too much alcohol which will over-strip and dry your skin, causing it to produce even more oil. In the morning, rinse your face with warm water to remove oil and skip the cleanser. The less you have to cleanse, the better.

Moisturizer: Sunflower oil, jojoba oil, safflower oil

Mask: Raspberry or strawberry with olive oil and lemon juice. You might also try a mask of water and crushed up aspirin as an exfoliant and mask in one.

Check out the mask in this post as well.

Normal Skin

I suggest trying any of the suggestions for dry and oily skin to see what works best for you.

Dermanew i-skin Facial Brush Review

2009-11-09T11:56:00.000-06:00

After someone recommended this facial brush from Sally Beauty Supply [I don't remember now but whoever you are, thank you!], I decided to try it before spending $200 on a Clarisonic. I bought it on Saturday and have used it 1-2 times a day since. It came with a cleanser but I am using my own Best Bath Store Acne Facial Bar with it.

At first, it didn't feel like it was doing anything because I was used to pressing down harder with my manual facial brush. After a couple days of using it, though, I do notice a small difference in how smooth my skin feels. I would definitely recommend it.

The only thing I don't understand is that Dermanew doesn't yet have the i-skin on their site and I couldn't find out anywhere if they offer a replacement brush head that you can buy separately. I assume it is just a very new product and they haven't begun selling that yet. Either way, it is only $30 [or $25 if you have a Sally discount card] and definitely worth trying.

Angelfire also suggested the Dermanew Facial Rejuvenation System but I realized that the i-skin uses the same brush head as that one. The only difference seems to be the microdermabrasion applicator on the other side, which i didn't need. I think if you need something more than just regular cleansing, that would be the product to try.

Just a tip, be sure to have 2 AA batteries on hand, as they are not included and because it sprays little bubbles of soap when it's on, it is best to use in the shower.

Thanks for the recommendations and if anyone tries it, I hope it works for you!

Essie 'Mint Candy Apple'

2009-11-05T15:47:00.006-06:00

Like everyone else, I went to Ulta and picked up a couple of bottles of Essie's Mint Candy Apple. I got it yesterday and went to the nail place today to have it put on. I don't do it myself because I am only good at painting my left hand. I'm not good at keeping my nails painted long but I'm trying to be careful this time so I hope it will last a while.

Here's how it looks:

It's a little darker than in the picture but not much, more like a robin's egg blue. I only bought that color but the other colors in the Winter Collection [it's limited edition so get it now] are pretty, too. Here's a picture:

Left to right: Lollipop, Rock Candy, and Mint Candy Apple

Each full-size polish is $8 and there is a set of all 3 in miniature size plus a base/top coat for $17. You can get it anywhere Essie is sold or click here to buy directly from them.

J Brand Audrey Skinny Legging Jean Review

2009-11-04T15:43:00.002-06:00

My original J Brand legging jean review is delayed because I got my order in the mail today [naturally, I was excited to put them on and see how they fit] and they sent me the wrong jeans!

I ordered and was charged for the 901 Legging and they sent me the Audrey Jean. Then, always my luck, they are sold out of my size online in the original pair I wanted. Luckily, I called the Willow Bend store in Dallas [they are always so helpful and friendly] and they located a pair and are having them shipped to me. I will do a review of those when I receive them.

As for the other ones:

Very tight and form-fitting
Not a lot of stretch
Super thin fit everywhere
Mid-rise [con for me as I sometimes tuck shirts in]
They have no pockets or belt loops

Here's the J Brand link if you want other photos.

Even though I prefer the others because they look more like jeans and have pockets, if these were a lower rise I would probably have kept them. J Brand low rise jeans are not super low so you don't have to worry about the visible butt crack look.

Conclusion: If you're looking for really plain, more sophisticated, non-jean-looking denim skinny jeans, try these!

Photos are from the Neiman Marcus website, you can see more photos on the J Brand site.

Glycolic Acid Peel Review

2009-11-03T18:28:00.006-06:00

I recently purchased this 35% Glycolic Acid Peel and thought I would review it in case anyone is interested in trying it. While I hate the idea of using chemicals as opposed to natural products on my skin, I'd rather use this a few times than use chemical products every day.

I received it about two weeks ago and I have used it 4 times. I applied it with a cotton pad and left it on for about a minute. It definitely stings and tingles but it's not painful and is worst when you first apply. I have a fairly high pain tolerance so it might be worse for those with really sensitive skin. I didn't notice any redness after or during the peel. After the minute was up, I rinsed very gently with a cloth [not necessary] and a lot of water. Make sure to moisturize immediately after rinsing your face, I used Sunflower Oil.

I did notice that my skin felt a tiny bit softer and it seemed to improve a little bit over the next couple of days. I never experienced any flaking or peeling of my skin. I used it again a few days after that and then twice last week. After the first time, I left it on for the full 4 minutes.

My skin is noticeably clearer and has more of a new skin glow, like you get after a sunburn but without the redness. I'm sure the results all vary from person to person depending on your skin type, sensitivity, etc. but it has been great for me. I also exfoliate daily with this Facial Brush so that could be why I didn't notice any peeling or dry skin.

If you are thinking of trying it, read the reviews first to get an idea of what results to anticipate and if the reviewers who like it have your skin type. Read all the instructions before you apply the peel and immediately wash it off if you experience burning or pain. To be safe, do not leave it on longer than the recommended time or use it more than once a week until you know your skin can handle it.

I definitely recommend it over a salon peel, especially because it's low dose. Everyone recommends a series of peels to see results and you don't want to spend hundreds or thousands of dollars for results you could get at home. I think I paid around $30 for it and I just noticed that it dropped to $18.95. I would definitely recommend it.

On a side note, remember that strawberry facial mask? I bought two big containers of raspberries recently and wasn't sure I could eat them all before they went bad. I decided to substitute those for the strawberries in the mask. It worked really well [although the seeds were a little annoying] and smelled great!

World Food Day is Tomorrow

2009-10-15T15:32:00.001-05:00

I felt like I should post this as a reminder that we should always help people and not forget how many people are actually in need.

There are 1 billion people around the world who are hungry. I cannot get over that number. 1 in 6 people does not get enough food to eat. This shocked me, especially when I clicked on the red cup. $5 to nourish a baby for a year?

Ten thousand children die of hunger every day. While individually we can't help them all, raising awareness and helping in the ways we can will prevent many deaths. Here is a list of 10 easy ways to help the hungry by spreading the word. The last one is a suggested lesson plan for teachers, which would be a good thing to teach kids any day of the year, not just tomorrow.

I have been thinking of some ways to get some food and other things together to take to a local shelter and I'm actually going to go do that now

Leave It to Lamas

2009-10-12T12:10:00.002-05:00

I have to talk about a show I was waiting for that premiered last night. Ever since I watched Season 12 of the Bachelor [I don't usually watch it but my mom told me to and I got hooked] I became slightly obsessed with Shayne Lamas. It was obvious on the Bachelor that she was a very sweet girl, which is refreshing since so many of the contestants are total bitch sluts.

After that, I followed her on Myspace but later deleted my account due to the fact that I'm not a child predator. E! first planned to call her reality show The Shayne Show but apparently changed it to include the whole family and capitalize on their supposed drama. Ok, obviously being on tabloid covers for sleeping with your stepmom is a less-than-typical predicament, but for some reason it didn't seem like that big of a deal on the show.

When Leave It to Lamas premiered last night, I begged S to watch it with me. We always watch shows he likes that I can't stand [I Survived is one] so I asked him to watch it. After a few of his usual rude comments, I explained to him that every show I like can't be 'the worst show on television,' that there can only be one worst. He decided that the Secret Life of the American Teenager [I'm literally addicted] is the worst, the Rachel Zoe Project is the 'stupidest,' and Leave It to Lamas is the dumbest. The Hills and The City didn't even get honorable mentions :( Glad we cleared that up.

I'll admit I didn't feel like a brain surgeon after watching the show, but what I found interesting was how boring and normal their lives seem to be [if you take out how ridiculously attractive Shayne, AJ, and Dakota are and the fact that they are famous and have their own show]. I wish there were more shows like that. Instead of the usual highlights of famous people on movie sets or hosting an event, I'd like to see them at home eating chips in their pajamas during the afternoon. Things like that makes me feel much better about myself: I'm sitting here at 3pm in my clothes from yesterday with a bag of Fritos watching an episode of Wifeswap I've seen 8 times. I'm just like a celebrity! It's great for the self image.

One thing I find curious, though, is that Dakota is Shayne's half-sister yet her name is shown as Dakota Lamas. On the Bachelor, I'm almost positive they introduced her as her half-sister with a different last name. Her IMDB page lists her as Dakota Pike but I can't find any information as to who her father is. It's really obvious he isn't her dad, though, and every time the two girls talk about Lorenzo they refer to him as my dad or your dad. I guess it just looks better for the show if they all have the same last name?

Whatever. I'm not judging, I changed my last name to my stepdad's name when I was in high school. I didn't do it because I wanted his last name, I just thought it sounded better and it would have been weird to change it to something I just made up. I would probably do the same thing if my stepfather was a famous actor and I was trying to get more acting roles. Ok, enough about this show for now, when I start trying to find a birth certificate for some random girl I know I'm overthinking it.

Animal-Friendly Halloween

2009-10-08T18:38:00.004-05:00

I love the $ Tree, like I could spend hours and hundreds of dollars in there easily. I especially love going there for seasonal items around Halloween and Valentine's Day, which are obviously the cutest holidays. I went there the other day and bought a long strip of 'bloody gauze' and some masks. I plan to go back in a week or so and stock up on little toys [whoopee cushions, Billy Bob teeth, etc.] to mix in with my Halloween candy.

After that, I went to Michael's for some more Halloween fun. I got a few cute mini concrete headstones and a bust of Dracula. You know, the essentials. I found a skeleton garland and a big basket [which ended up being on sale :)]. I was anxious to put a candy basket together so once I got home I immediately put it all together:

So far I put in some Jolly Ranchers, Skittles, and Starburst and I'll be adding more candy before Halloween. I cut out some holiday-appropriate stickers I had and threw those in as well.

I know what you're thinking and yes, of course, I kept all the pink Starburst for myself. I might need to impose a daily limit, though, because they're almost gone already!

Now for the objective of this post: There are plenty of animal-friendly Halloween candies. Recently all Skittles and Starburst became vegan. They took out the gelatin in favor of corn starch due to the risk of Mad Cow Disease and, I would guess, pressure from vegetarians.

You should always check the label to make sure a candy is free from animal ingredients, but here is a list to give you a few ideas. Unfortunately it is not a comprehensive list. It doesn't appear to have been updated recently as it does not yet include the aforementioned Skittles and Starburst.

As far as what not to buy, that list also tells you what ingredients to stay away from. Obviously anything with milk chocolate [even most commercial dark chocolate has some milk ingredients added in] should be avoided, but you wouldn't believe how many snacks and candies are vegan! For example, I was thrilled to find Fritos on the list and promptly bought a bag.

Please just remember that candy is not a reason to support the suffering of animals and there are so many great alternatives that trick-or-treaters won't even notice.

Another Healthy Snack

2009-10-08T18:05:00.000-05:00

Just make a PBJ on a rice cake instead of bread! If you're trying to cut down on bread or are like me and sometimes forget to buy it, this is an easy snack that will hold you over until dinner. Make sure you use crunchy peanut butter instead of creamy; It has slightly more protein and less saturated fat!

Healthy Eating

2009-10-07T16:23:00.002-05:00

I am so happy to be back at home and able to eat healthy foods again. I have been eating 90% raw foods [and drinking a lot of water] since returning home and already notice a huge difference in how I feel. I wanted to share a really easy and surprisingly filling meal I've been eating recently:

Tomato/ Avocado Salad
1 Tomato
1 Avocado
Olive Oil
Balsamic Vinegar
1/2 Lemon
Fresh-Cracked Black Pepper

Cut the avocado into slices or bite-size pieces and dice the tomato. Mix together in a bowl, add pepper to taste and squeeze lemon juice over the top. Next, pour olive oil and balsamic over the top [I usually add about 1-2 tbsp of each]. If you just want it as a snack, save half of the tomato and avocado and refrigerate for later.

Day 20 of Oil Cleansing & Updated Routine

2009-10-07T16:12:00.006-05:00

I am continuing with my Oil Cleansing trial but have made a few adjustments. Here are all the skincare products I am currently using, with the exception of a DIY strawberry mask [more on that later] and a daily Vitamin E capsule:

Here is a list of all the products:

Best Bath Store Acne Facial Bar
Best Bath Store Acne Treatment Gel
Best Bath Store Pore Refining Facial Toner
The Body Shop Rounded Handle Facial Brush
Body Brush from Whole Foods but here's a better one
Pure Argan Oil
Dr. Bronner's All-natural Bar Soap [the liquid is great, too]
Castor Oil from the drugstore
Organic Sunflower Oil from Whole Foods
Organic Coconut Oil from Whole Foods

Regimen:

In the morning I just wash my face with a warm, damp cloth or splash with warm water. If I get home from somewhere and need to remove my makeup I oil cleanse with the sunflower and castor oils. If there is still some makeup residue, I wet the facial brush and use it to exfoliate my face with the Acne Bar.

At night, I use the toner [only if my face is clean but super oily] and apply the Acne Treatment Gel. I spot treat any dry areas with Argan Oil.

I use the Dr. Bronner's soap in the shower as a body cleanser and i use the brush either before I shower or while I'm in it. I use coconut oil anywhere I require body moisturizing and Argan Oil on my damp hair [no more split ends!], nails, and around my eyes.

This review is how I found out about Best Bath Store. If you would like to try their products before buying the full sizes, just pay $6.95 in shipping and get samples of up to 5 of their products. For 15% off your order, use coupon code bestsamples. Also, if you plan to buy all 3 of the products I listed, you can save by ordering them as a set.

Now for the strawberry mask:

I looked at a few recipes and just took the ingredients I like and made my own. All measurements are approximate.

1-2 Strawberries
1 tbsp. Premium Olive Oil [I used Manni, hope S doesn't find out!]
1 tsp. Honey [non-vegan, I only used it because it was in the cabinet]

It doesn't really matter what order in which you mix them, just make sure you crush the strawberries very well so the mix has a smooth texture. Put it all over your face and neck and leave for 5 minutes, then rinse.

The strawberries are full of alpha-hydroxy acid which is supposed to help get rid of acne and oil. The olive oil is, duh, to moisturize your skin so it doesn't feel stripped [I am going to pour in a couple capsules of Vitamin E oil next time and maybe a little avocado, both great for the skin]. Finally, the honey kills bacteria and gives your face that tight feeling. If you have super oily skin, you might want to add some lemon juice, but I didn't because I am not a big fan of taking natural oils off the skin.

That made enough for me for at least a week so I covered it in a glass bowl and stuck it in the refrigerator. Another hint: wash a strawberry and rub it all over your teeth for a natural whitener.

I hope someone can benefit from these products or the mask!

Here is an article for a similar facial mask.

Product Review: Origins 'Pinch Your Cheeks' Gel Blush

2009-10-07T14:19:00.002-05:00

I had a gift card to spend and ordered two of these [only $10 each!] from Macy's the other day to try. I am very fair with slight pink undertones and oily skin. I have always liked cheek stains but haven't used one in a while. I got them in the mail yesterday and immediately tried them out.

First, I put on Raspberry. While it's a great pinkish-red color, it is very sheer. I don't like to look like a clown whore, but definitely prefer a less-than-subtle cheek color. Even on my pale skin I could barely see it, so I will have to layer it a couple times when I wear it. It's great for those who want a very faint color. I think this could be worn on any skin color and look great.

Second, I tried the Coralberry color. I love it! I expected it to be very orange but it is actually quite red. It gives a great punch of color that looks like you just worked out, which could come in handy considering I am allergic to working out and S always tries to get me to do it. This color would probably look even better on someone with darker/ tan skin.

Now for the cons, be warned: Take your time to only squeeze out the tiniest amount then put it on immediately. I had it on my fingers for less than 10 seconds before I washed and scrubbed them and there is still a faint red tint on my fingertips today. You might even use a rubber glove or cosmetic sponge to apply.

Bottom line: These are absolutely worth buying and with the $10 price tag, there's no reason not to try them. They also look great on your lips!

Note: Here is the link from Origins, but for some reason they cost $1 more than they do at Macy's.

Day 14 of Oil Cleansing

2009-10-01T21:36:00.000-05:00

Just got home from SC last night and I'm still washing my face at night with castor oil and coconut oil. In the mornings I'm just steaming with hot water or rinsing with it. I'm just using some Argan Oil at night. Updates soon!

Day 10 of Oil Cleansing

2009-09-27T23:09:00.001-05:00

Not much to report except that beginning last night I traded the coconut oil for Argan Oil. I think it may be that variety is the key.

Day 7 of Oil Cleansing

2009-09-24T13:22:00.003-05:00

I haven't updated in the past couple of days because I wanted to wait until I had some more noticeable results to report. I have noticed a decrease in pore size and every day I have smoother and more even skin. I'm really happy I switched to coconut oil and plan to use it until and if I find something better.

Did you know that coconut oil is a natural sunscreen and deodorant, too? I was reading online the other day about the seemingly endless list of ways to use coconut oil [Seriously, Google it- I even sent my cousin an article about how it has helped many people with thyroid problems] and came across a site of testimonials that raved about it when used as a sunscreen. When I also saw that it has been used as a deodorant with much success, I knew I had to try it.

S and I got to Hilton Head, SC yesterday to stay with his parents for a week. It is hot and sunny and I am very fair-skinned, so I knew it wouldn't take long to determine whether it worked. We played tennis in the afternoon for at least an hour and because I'm usually sedentary, I was covered in sweat by the time we were finished. I was very pleasantly surprised when I saw that the coconut oil worked wonderfully as a deodorant and also as a sunscreen. I don't have to put all those toxic chemicals on my skin anymore!

Because it's such a great moisturizer, I've also been using it a little on my body and hair. I have normal-oily skin so I don't need much and it has made such a difference already! If I could just find a natural shampoo that isn't as drying and color-stripping as baking soda, my beauty products will be all-natural. I am definitely still using the Moroccan/ Argan Oil on my split ends and nails and they look better than ever. I have not been using it on my face because I don't want it to interfere with my review of the coconut oil, however, I continue to swear by it and recommend it to anyone who is thinking of trying it.

Just another hint about the coconut oil: It works faster and in even more ways if you ingest a tablespoon or two per day. I was so excited and ready to add it to my daily routine until I had a spoonful in my mouth. I literally couldn't swallow it. It doesn't really taste like anything, I just think the weird taste and oily consistency made my mouth repel it. I tried to swallow it for about 30 seconds with no success, so I gagged [lovely, I know] and spat it out. The lesson there is: Find a better way to do it.

Day 4 of Oil Cleansing

2009-09-21T16:06:00.000-05:00

I am still using the coconut oil and my skin seems to be slightly clearer and much softer. I only steamed my face with hot water this morning and since I am just sitting around the house with the dogs all day, I applied only the coconut oil to my face a couple of times. Everything I have read says to apply it several times a day and that will speed up the process and make it more effective. I guess I will know in a week or so.

I'm sure everyone knows that the best ways to clear your skin [aside from drinking more water, we covered that] are to stop eating processed foods and anything with animal protein [meat, dairy, etc.] and to limit carbohydrates. I was doing very well with that until the past few days when I feel like I have gone on an unhealthy rampage. I never order anything bad, it's just that I have a difficult time controlling myself when people offer me things like chips.

S wanted to eat Mexican food the other day, so I think that's what started my downward spiral. I was pretty good after that until he brought me queso and a bowl of chips and before I could blink, they were gone. I told myself that the sooner I ate it, the sooner I could go back to eating healthy foods since it wouldn't be here anymore to tempt me. I'm pretty sure there's a word for that kind of destructive thinking. Anyway, I've also had almost an entire bag of Kettle Jalapeno chips [anything Jalapeno is my weakness] since yesterday. Oops!

Now that I fee sufficiently guilty and disgusting, I can focus on eating raw for the next couple of weeks. We are going to Hilton Head, SC on Wednesday to stay with S's parents for a week. I obviously won't be taking my juicer so I am going to have to bribe myself with something [online purchases, perhaps?] to make sure I stay away from the junk food.

I'll be taking my OCM stuff with me and hopefully remembering to update this daily while I'm there. Maybe I will come back home with improved skin and eating habits, or so I hope.

Day 3 of Oil Cleansing

2009-09-20T22:58:00.000-05:00

Last night I had been reading about the amazing things coconut oil can do for the skin and decided to stop in Whole Foods and get some. Instead of using the sunflower oil mixture I have been using a 20% castor oil and coconut oil blend. I have heard it can make the skin worse and then better so I will post more about that once I see a difference.

Day 2 of Oil Cleansing

2009-09-19T15:34:00.000-05:00

I woke up this morning with very little oil [comparatively speaking] on my face. I only rinsed my face with warm water and then put on some Bare Minerals makeup to go to lunch. S was going to a friend's house to watch football, so when I got home I used my oil mixture to clean my face [I also did this last night, the 50% castor oil would be too much twice in the same day]. I think it is about 30% castor oil but I eyeballed the measurements so that's obviously not exact.

I already see a small improvement from yesterday in that my skin overall is smoother, most noticeably on my cheeks. I also had a few dry spots, presumably from the high concentration of castor oil from yesterday afternoon. I just put a small amount of Moroccan/ Argan Oil on my face to reduce the dryness. I plan to wash my face once more with the 30% mixture tonight and will hopefully see even more improvement by tomorrow!

Introduction to Oil Cleansing

2009-09-18T13:20:00.000-05:00

FYI, for Oil Cleansing you will need:
1 wash cloth
1 bottle of castor oil
1 bottle of secondary oil [read below first]

Today is Day 1. After alternating between some all natural products and oil cleansing, I decided to choose one method and stick with it. I am going to try OCM for an extended period of time, with no other products and a [hopefully] minimal amount of face-touching. People have been using only oils and water on their skin for thousands of years and if it can work for them, it can work for me.

If you are unfamiliar with oil cleansing and would like to read about it in depth, this website has a good explanation. Basically, because science tells us that ‘like dissolves like’ and most skin issues originate with oil-clogged pores, the natural way to correct the problems is to use oil to your advantage. While many people will benefit from using only warm water to cleanse their skin, those of us with oily skin and clogged pores due to other environmental causes need a bit of help.

Back to the science part, oil dissolves other oils. While we grew up hearing that oil is bad for the skin and natural oils should be stripped with cleansers, the opposite is actually true. Why else would they keep coming up with new products if the old ones did the trick? Like any health issue, skin problems are a symptom of a larger problem. Eating too many processed foods [especially sugars aka carbohydrates] and not drinking enough water will cause the skin to become inflamed, signaling that your body is out of balance.

Many people see a huge improvement in their skin by simply drinking more water each day. I have been religiously using my Zerowater filter and keeping water in bottles and carafes in my refrigerator so I have no excuse but to drink it. If you’re not into drinking just water, add cucumber slices and lemon or lime juice to make it taste better. I sometimes even juice strawberries, peaches, and lemons and add that to my water for a surprisingly refreshing lemonade. Whatever it takes to make myself drink it.

Anyway, back to Oil Cleansing: The body produces oil for a reason. That’s why when you strip it away with harsh cleansers or benzoyl peroxide it seems to come back even more. I was skeptical at first, too, but the first time I moisturized with sunflower oil before bed and awoke with almost no oil on my face, I realized it wasn’t just a big joke and there really was something to this Oil Cleansing idea. Now onto my regimen:

Though different oils and combinations of them work for different people, you will want to use a primary, more drying oil [almost always castor oil] and a secondary oil to moisturize. The castor oil works to dry out any particularly oily parts of the face while the secondary oil will balance it so as not to leave your face dry or flaky. You will have to find the combination that works for you through trial and error. Most OCM advocates suggest 30% castor oil for oily skin, 20% for normal, and 10% for dry. I have read reviews by people who use a 50/50 blend with great success. It all depends on what works for you.

I actually have a castor oil/ sunflower oil blend in an apothecary jar in my bathroom but I am not sure I made the right ratio for my skin so I am going to do it straight out of the bottles for now. I have chosen to use sunflower oil but many people swear by others such as extra virgin olive oil [which Rachel Ray so annoyingly calls ‘EVOO’] and jojoba oil. You will have to try them and see what works for you. The most important thing is to get a pure oil that is cold-pressed and organic. Cold-pressed means it wasn’t heated in production, which can remove many of the nutrients and vitamins that are important for healing your skin. You want organic because the whole point is to use natural ingredients and not add any more chemicals and toxins to your skin.

Like I said, I’m still trying to find the perfect combination of oils for my skin so throughout the process I may switch to another secondary oil or change the amount of each depending on whether my skin seems drier or oilier. Something else to keep in mind is the weather: You may need to use more secondary oil in the winter than you do in the summer. Today I used about a 50/50 blend. I covered the castor oil bottle with my hand and turned it upside down to get just enough of it on my hand. A little of this stuff goes a long way and you can always add more. I rubbed that all over my face for about a minute, then I did the same with the sunflower oil. The longer you rub the oils into your skin, the deeper they will penetrate and the more impurities will be released. After rubbing it all in, I let the water get very hot and then I hold the cloth under it until it is completely soaked with very hot water and I can see steam rising from it. Be brave, as it takes some getting used to, and place the cloth [do not wring it out] over your face. Leave it on until it is lukewarm and repeat the process once or twice.

I don’t like to rub the cloth onto my face and I like to feel like my pores are getting extra clean so I steam my face with the cloth at least 3 times. Actually, I guess 4 because sometimes I steam it before applying the oils so they can really get in deep. After cleansing, there should only be a little bit of oil left on your face. Leave it, as it will provide the moisture you need.

Some people start out only using OCM a couple of days a week and some can do it every day or even twice daily. I am doing it twice daily or maybe three times if I need to remove makeup. A tip for nighttime is to spot treat any blemishes with a tiny dab of castor oil. Similarly, you can add some secondary oil to any dry spots.

Good luck and come back for an update soon!

Discount Sites

2009-09-11T17:56:00.003-05:00

I have found some of my favorite clothes on discount sites. My favorites are Gilt Groupe and Hautelook and I recently began checking Ideeli and RueLaLa. In case you want to try them out, I added links at the top right of the page.

Anyway, I know there are so many different sites and when I came across two new ones on my favorite home decor blog, The Goods Design, I thought I would share them:

One Kings Lane is a great place to find designer home decor for less. They have everything from candles and china to bedding and furniture in all different styles.

Shop It To Me is a little different. When you sign up, you chose the designers and brands you like, give them your sizes and price preferences, then they scour the internet and email you links for discounts on things you might like. I just signed up so I can't say how it works but I've read great things about it.

For now, those two sites are open to new members. If you go to join and it requires an invitation, just email me [also in the top right corner] and I will invite you!

The Truth About Moroccan Oil

2009-09-11T15:21:00.004-05:00

There have been several posts about Moroccan Oil recently as there is a popular product line with Moroccan aka Argan Oil supposedly as its magical ingredient. I just want people to be informed before they buy certain products that may not be or do what they claim.

While it is true that women in Morocco use Argan Oil on their skin, nails, and hair [and actually with food in the way that we use olive oil] to keep a healthy glow and stay moisturized, many people are being misled by these new products. My mom swore to me when she first bought it that it instantly made her hair shiny and healthy. I won't argue that it will make your hair shiny when you first use it, but it certainly isn't making your hair healthier.

The Moroccan Oil line actually contains many synthetic ingredients and a very small portion of Argan Oil. The silicones will make your hair appear shiny just like Biosilk or any other product with plastic/ wax ingredients but it will actually dry your hair out over time. To see any real change in your hair, skin, or nails you need to use a product that has at least 50% Argan Oil. 100% is obviously even better. That brings me to the objective of this post:

I recently ordered this pure Argan Oil for $32 plus $5 shipping and received it within 2 business days. I immediately used it and have already noticed a positive difference [I also love that it comes in a spray bottle so I can't pour out too much]. I normally moisturize with sunflower oil and while it is inexpensive and great for moisturizing, it can be a little thick and greasy, not great when you're going somewhere and don't want to look like a disco ball. I will continue to use the sunflower oil at night and when I'm lounging at home.

Here are some great things about this product and company:

-It is 100% Argan Oil, absolutely nothing synthetic or superfluous

-It comes straight from Morocco and is authentic Argan Tree Oil

-Sales support women in Morocco through fair trade and allow them to bring in stable incomes

-Sales also educate consumers about the endangered Argan forest and protect the trees by spreading awareness and supporting reforestation projects

I just wanted to let everyone know about this product because it is easy to be fooled by advertising and packaging and everyone wants to get the best quality products that will offer optimal results. If you buy this, feel free to post a comment and definitely tell everyone you know about it!

Here's the link again: www.arganoils.com, enjoy!

Making Progress

2009-09-01T22:44:00.001-05:00

I have been juicing since Saturday, immediately after bringing the juicer home. We stopped by Whole Foods and got 2 or 3 heavy bags full of produce and I have been using it several times each day. I have already discovered that strawberries are my magic ingredient. I honestly think that with enough strawberries, I could juice them with crap and it would taste good.

Even after reading so much information about eating raw, and specifically juicing, I am still shocked at the amount of energy I have had the past few days. At night I have had to wait a while after going to bed for my body to fully calm down. It reminds me of being a kid and not wanting to go to sleep but my mom made me because it was bedtime. Everything I had read mentioned a huge increase in energy but I guess I had to experience it to understand.

As for my 2 pounds of vegetables per day, I am easily consuming them. I make several drinks per day and have made a Strawberry Peach Lemonade [with water from my ZeroWater filter, it's awesome] so that I am getting enough water as well as fruits and veggies. I'm not sure if I've mentioned it yet, but this whole raw thing has made vegan eating a cinch. I have so many foods from which to choose now, as I didn't eat many of these vegetables before, I find avoiding animal products easier than ever.

I don't have much more to say right now except that I found some good snacks at Target. In the section with all of the Archer Farms snack foods there are raw almonds and raw mixed nuts, including pistachios! While S doesn't like them because they lack salt, I think they're delicious.

Stay Tuned for the Benefits of Juicing

2009-08-28T18:50:00.003-05:00

S and I have a lot of credit at Williams Sonoma from our wedding and we'll probably go this weekend and buy some of our remaining registry items. For the past couple of weeks and since I decided to eat raw, I have been researching juicers. It all started when I saw an infomercial for the Jack Lalanne Power Juicer. I am a sucker for any and all infomercials, it doesn't matter what it is or how little I need it.

In any case, I got home last Sunday and checked the Jack Lalanne website to find the juicer I wanted. Of course, out of the 5 they have, the only one that is SOLD OUT is the one I want. I decided to check Williams Sonoma since I assumed they would carry the best quality juicer. Apparently [according to hundreds of online review and Martha Stewart] the Breville Juice Extractor is the best.

Needless to say, I'll be purchasing and using it immediately. What's so cool about it is you can put in whole fruits and vegetables and they come out as juice. With the exception of pitting things like peaches, cherries, and avocados and peeling citrus fruits, you can just wash them and put through the machine, stems, seeds, and all.

Juicing is the easiest way to get all of your fruits and vegetables in each day. Did you know that doctors and nutritionists recommend we consume roughly 1 pound of raw vegetables per 50 pounds of body weight every day? When you compare that with how much most people actually take in, it's no wonder people are raving about how great juicing makes them feel.

Anyway, there's much more on that to come... Have a great weekend!

Being Vegan Isn't Just About Animals

2009-08-27T14:50:00.004-05:00

While a lot of people stop eating, drinking, and wearing animal products because of the cruelty to animals, for many it is ultimately a matter of concern for the environment, humanitarianism, and greatly improved health. Here are some facts:

Vegetarians...

have lower cholesterol
have lower rates of hypertension & overall lower blood pressure
have 40% of the cancer rate of meat eaters
live at least 6-10 years longer than meat eaters
are 50% less likely to develop heart disease than meat eaters
as children grow taller and have higher IQs than children who eat meat

Meat eaters are...

9 times more likely to be obese than vegetarians
more likely to catch everyday illnesses [such as the flu] due to weaker immune systems than vegetarians
at much greater risk for osteoporosis, Alzheimer's, asthma, and male impotence

"Well-planned vegetarian diets provide us with all the nutrients that we need, minus all the saturated fat, cholesterol, and contaminants found in animal flesh, eggs, and dairy products."

Much more information on how to add years to your life and avoid numerous diseases can be found at GoVeg and you can even order your own free Vegetarian Starter Kit. Feel free to discuss the benefits and how to implement a healthy vegan/ vegetarian diet with your doctor or nutritionist. You'll be amazed at how easy it is to be and feel healthy.

In addition to the animal and health aspects of being vegan, a rise in environmental awareness has caused many to rethink their eating habits. You can't call yourself an environmentalist if you take from animals to benefit yourself. Raising animals for food wastes precious resources and destroys land that could be used to grow food for people. Instead it is contaminated by animal excrement due to the hormones and antibiotics they are given.

Worried about global warming? "A major report by the University of Chicago in 2006 found that adopting a vegan diet has a greater impact in the fight against global warming than switching to a hybrid car does." What about our natural resources? "In the U.S., 70 percent of all grains, 80 percent of all agricultural land, half of all water resources, and one-third of all fossil fuels are used to raise animals for food."

In the same way that you can hardly consider yourself an environmentalist if you don't change how your eating affects the planet, humanitarianism is hindered by the outdated practice of using animals for food. Everyone in the world could be fed if we used the food we grow to feed people instead of the animals to be killed. Consider this: "It takes up to 16 pounds of grain to produce just 1 pound of animal flesh. It's shockingly inefficient to feed plant foods to farmed animals and consume their flesh rather than eating the plant foods ourselves."

It seems most of us are guilty of claiming to be concerned about world issues but not doing anything to change it. It's certainly difficult to forget all you've ever known in the way of food, clothing, and other consumer products, but if it can save lives [animal or human], isn't it worth it? There's really no way to justify it.

I think a good way to truly understand the benefits of a guilt-free lifestyle is to challenge yourself to try it for one month. Here is a video that gives 30 reasons to go vegetarian:

I believe that you can't truly hold an opinion until you have some knowledge of the subject in question. Ultimately, what you do and don't eat is up to you. The least you can do is educate yourself before you make up your mind. Doing your own research is always recommended and in addition, here are a few websites I like that show the many reasons for going vegan/ vegetarian:

Meat.org

GoVeg.com

NotMilk.com

Quoted and bulleted text is from information on GoVeg.com

The Beginning

2009-08-26T16:35:00.002-05:00

I consider myself one of the least interesting people I know. Despite that, I've decided to start a blog since it seems all the cool kids are doing it. I plan to discuss current events, animal rights issues, probably some boring [to you, not me] craft ideas, beauty products, fashion, and definitely how to eat a healthy diet. I have been a vegetarian on and off [mostly on] since 4th grade and am now eating all-vegan and a lot of raw foods. If I can handle it in Oklahoma, anyone can. More about that later... Be forewarned, it is inevitable that I will deviate from my 'plan' and will go off on tangents.

A bit about me:
I'm a 22-year-old stay at home wife in Oklahoma and no, I'm not a redneck [right?]. I have 3 dogs, whom I will no doubt mention frequently. Bowie has been mine since he was around 1.5 years old. My parents got him from a friend who had adopted him from German Shepherd Rescue and he'd been through a couple other homes before that. He is the sweetest, most gentle dog you'll ever meet.

My husband, S, got Remus as a puppy and I've known him since he was a year old. He's a very good boy and may have been an evil dictator in a former life. If only he had opposable thumbs, I'm confident he could take over the world. He is exactly like S in that despite having siblings, he usually acts as if he is an only child.

Our most recent addition, Ralphie, is around 5 months old and is the most affectionate and adorable puppy. He was dumped at a park by our friends' house and we found him in their front yard one night while we were there. I had always wanted to adopt a Great Pyrenees but S said 'no more dogs than people' was the rule. Needless to say, that didn't work out and he is ours forever.

Here are some introductory photos: