Living eco-consciously and other fun stuff!
Category : Beauty, Food & Beverages, Health, Recipes
Get a $15 Spa Week gift card when you sign up for 2 free issues of Whole Living. I subscribe to Whole Living and really like it. They have tons of vegetarian recipes which are always easy to convert to vegan and they also frequently have a vegan recipe of two! I got a notice from Spa Week about this and figured I’d pass it along to you – since I already receive W.L. it doesn’t do me much good – but YOU should take advantage of it! 
Category : Beauty
I was reading a recent edition of OK Magazine and saw this blurb on blue eyeliner being back in. Well, I’ve been using it for a long time. Blue really complements brown eyes – makes them pop. If you get the right blue it will barely be noticible from afar but up close you’ll like the softness of the blue for day time in comparison to stark black. I snapped a quick photo of the article with my blue Lavera Eyeliner. This eyeliner is a great choice – goes on smooth and wears well. It isn’t fully vegan as it does contain beeswax but sometimes I forget to check for that when I’m purchasing cosmetics. I recently noticed it contains palm oil, which concerned me as the production of palm oil is frequently connected to a great deal of de-forestation (we love our rainforests and hate to see them dwindling!) and thus the following animals becoming endangered species as their habitat has been taken away from them…Sumatran Tiger, Orangutans, Asian Elephant and Sumatran Rhinoceros. So…I started to feel guilty, but after a little research I found that there ARE SUSTAINABLE sources of palm oil AND that is precisely what Lavera uses! YEAH!!! This is the email response I got from Rebecca at Lavera …
My Hurraw! lip balms have arrived from Kind Boutique – and as always, Erin packaged them ever so nicely along with her hand written note thanking me for my purchase – seriously, who does that?!?! It’s SO NICE to purchase things from someone who actually CARES! She’s amazing!
The balms are $5 each (and as always she does free shipping!) and come in Chai Spice and Vanilla Bean.
They smell and feel absolutely amazing and Chai Spice is a perfect fall balm!
Category : Beauty
For my wedding I purchased a bunch of new cosmetics. This Tarte Cosmetics LipSurgence Natural Lip Stain being one of the items. I like how it feels and how it looks but I certainly wouldn’t call it a stain. Maybe it’s just too light to actually stain my lips, but when it wears off its off, there is no stain lingering on my lips. It’s also extremely soft. So much so that it breaks off. Summer heat does not help it. The first time I broke a chunk off was after my ceremony while we were taking a boat to the reception. At that point I figured it was just far too hot and it was melting. That wasn’t the case, it breaks all the time, so when I turn it up, I only do it just enough to smooth onto my lips and then roll it back down. Any extra means breakage and thus a complete waste of the product. I really like this as a tinted moisturizer for my lips and would consider buying it again since it’s insanely smoothing.
This lip stain contains:
jojoba seed oil
peppermint oil
vitamin C
vitamin E
Tarte Cosmetics are on PETA’s caring consumer list. They don’t use mineral oils, parabens, phthalates, or sodium lauryl sulfate.
Category : Beauty
$6.95 - LUSH
$8.95 - LUSH
I purchased these adorable and yummy smelling massage/lotion bars from LUSH as bridesmaid gifts. The one on the top is vegan, vanilla scented and has sparkles in it! Super fun for the younger set of ladies. The one on the bottom is a honey chocolate heart and minus the sparkles, a little better for the late 20′s early 30′s crowd They both smell amazing and I’m sure my girls are going to be super excited to get them tonight
Category : Beauty
I absolutely LOVE PEACE Spa! If you’re in Chicago you must see Courtney for a facial. She is absolutely amazing! I went last week for a pre-wedding facial and left there glowing! I was headed back to work and all I threw on was a little bronzer and brow powder! Courtney is fantastic with extractions. Most aestheticians tell me there isn’t anything to extract and maybe go after 2-3 spots and call it done, then I head home and take care of it myself. I will stick with Courtney from now on!
Get on their email list. They offer promotions all the time! I paid up front with a recent promotion so this facial was half off AND I got a product sample! One drawback is they are really difficult to get in to, so plan ahead and know that you’ll be booking a good month out. I normally like to make appointments on a whim but Courtney is that good that I’ve been making my appointments in advance and have been sure to stick with them.
Category : Beauty
I love to have a bit of color and I love the sun but I also worry about how damaging the sun is to my skin. My current favorite self tanner is made my Alba and runs about $9.95 for 4oz. It is super moisturizing and was fabulous in the dry months of winter. I never have any streaking issues and it gives me a great golden color – nothing orangey. It definitely has a light tanning product smell but it’s not horrible. I use it as often as once a day for a darker color.
I recently picked up Nature’s Gate self tanner (which runs around $8.99) but wasn’t as nearly impressed as I have been with Alba. So, if you’re debating between the two, definitely go with Alba. The Nature’s Gate is not as emollient as Alba, which I thought may be nice for summer, but in the end I found I liked the creamier one and also noticed some streaking and un-even areas with NG. I also don’t like how it settles in cracks – like the under side of my elbows or in my cleavage. The Alba product didn’t do that. So, as soon as this tube is gone I’ll be back on the Alba tanner
Category : Beauty
A+ Skin Care in Chicago
$79 Sonya Dakar Green Tea Peel with Facial: From the celeb-loved line, Sonya Dakar, this green tea and spirulina infused treatment will leave you glowing, naturally. (normally $165)
A Go Go The Salon in Glenview, IL
$49 Haircut, Kevin Murphy Deep Conditioning Treatment and A Go Go Blo (Blowout): Treat yourself to a haircut and conditioning treatment using Kevin Murphy’s recyclable and naturally-based luxury products, finished with a blowout. Hair clippings will also go to Matters of Trust. (normally $90)
BioSkinErgy in NYC
$49 Organic Crystall Microdermabrasion (normally $150)
Salon Santa Cruz in NYC
$49 Go Green & Leave the Blowdrier Behind: Let us show you energy saving styling techniques for day or night. Wet set your curls for a polished look. Or pull your hair back into a side ponytail for an edge to your tail with a sleek gelled look and polished ponytail. (normally $65-$85)
Eva Luna Day Spa in Milwaukee
$59 Organic Aroma Massage: An hour long organic aromatherapy massage. The oils used are local, and are all natural and organic. (normally $75)
To browse participating locations and their discounted offers, log on to www.prettycity.com/green.
Category : Beauty
I recently was in the market for a new hand cream. After spending a great deal of time wandering the skin care isles I settled on Weleda’s Pomegranate Hand Cream. You may remember I did a give-away when they launched the line but was never able to try the products myself.
In the winter I do like something a little more heavy duty but this one is great for summer. At first I didn’t think it would be moisturizing enough but I was wrong! Although it isn’t super thick, it provides great moisture and smoothness without a greasy residue. I’d definitely purchase it again. It’s $12.50 for a 1.7oz tube which is great for your hand bag and considering how little I use at a time, it’s going to last me quite awhile!
Category : Animals, Beauty, Food & Beverages, Fun Things To Do
Rescue Chocolate not only tastes amazing but all proceeds go to animal rescue groups! Not to mention the chocolate is vegan – dairy free! These chocolate hearts are adorable and are filled raspberry ganache! YUM!
2 Hearts $5.95
Don’t forget about the Peanut Butter Pit Bull…that’s a delicious one to add on as well! It’s my all time fav!
$4.95 a bar
100% Pure Luxury Body Cream or Body Butter…
You could pair Rescue Chocolate with Dark Chocolate Mocha Body Cream (there is also a matching shower gel and body scrub!) or get mom ready to party with the Pink Champagne Nourishing Body Cream (and again, add in the matching shower gel and body scrub!). Actually, chocolate and champagne go well together!
Gift certificates for experiences are both pampering and eco-friendly in the sense that they’re not just knick-knacky bits of junk that she’ll soon tire of. Consider things like…a massage, facial, mani-pedi, hair cut or even just a blow out along with a dinner out – she’ll look fabulous and feel great for her night out!
Consider going out together to buy plants and sprucing up her yard for spring. It would be a fun activity to do together and something she’ll enjoy that will make her think of you all summer long!
How about donating money in her honor to a cause that is dear to her heart? MS, cancer, animal shelters, women’s shelter, etc…
