Burt's Bees Super Shiny Grapefruit & Sugar Beet Conditioner Review

Pros                                                                                    Cons           

-Available at most drugstores                                               -Doesn't smell that great
-Effective at smoothing out tangles & conditioning hair          -Rated 4 on EWG, high for a "natural" product
-Good price (under $10)                                                     -MAY contain artificial fragrances


Conclusion: While 4 on the EWG Skindeep database is pretty good (moderate hazard) compared to many drugstore brand conditioners, I was disappointed that Burt's Bees still uses some harmful chemicals. I also discovered that Burt's Bees has not signed The Compact for Safe Cosmetics, which made me a bit sad since I trust Burt's Bees claims of making natural safe products. This was the first eco-aware conditioner I've tried and I was definitely pleased to find it was effective, but next time I need to purchase conditioner, I'm going to try an even greener, healthier product.

Natural Home and Garden Magazine

While running an errand at Home Depot the other night, something caught my eye in the magazine rack: Natural Home and Garden Magazine. I currently get far too many magazines, but this is definitely on my subscription wishlist for next year! It features home decor, DIY, green building and all sorts of green lifestyle tips. Plus the design of the magazine is eye-catching and beautiful. Unfortunately, the magazine website isn't quite as easy-to-read, but it does have some good features, including a variety of green themed blogs, videos, polls and ways to interact with the magazine.

Reconsidering How Phones & Computers Are Made

This weekend I was lucky enough to catch a good portion of an episode of This American Life on NPR in which author Mike Daisy travels to the Foxconn plant in China. Foxconn is where many Apple products and other electronics are produced. Mike describes his visit and his interviews with candor, humor, and honest amazement. It is an eye-opening story that I highly recommend. It will make you look at your iPhone in a whole new light.

Mr. Daisy and the Apple Factory Podcast

image  courtesy of ThisAmericanLife.org

Hugo Naturals Tea Tree and Lavender Balancing Shampoo Review

Pros                                                                             Cons            

- Great price (under $10)                                              - Doesn't get very foamy/lathery

- No parabens, sulfates, petroleom products                  - Not carried in standard drugstores

- Smells great                                                                   (try WholeFoods instead)      

- Vegan                                                                       - Company based in LA (not local)

- No synthetic colors/fragrances

- Effective

      Conclusion: I love this product! At first I didn't think it would work because it didn't get as lathery as shampoos I was used to, but my hair was squeaky clean afterwards. Plus the tea tree is great for the winter when my scalp tends to get a bit dry. And, as you may know from reading this blog, lavender is my favorite scent! I was absolutely thrilled when I found a lavender shampoo made by a responsible company. I would definitely buy this product again. 

Behind the Scenes

It is sometimes hard to come up with fresh content every day, which is why I keep an inspiration book - clippings of articles and images along with my own drawings and notes. When I'm stumped for post ideas, I look back through the book and usually have an idea within 15 seconds! Its also helped me define my personal taste and style.

So where did I get all of these fun clippings? EVERYWHERE - Elle, TIME, Harper's Bazaar, InStyle, Improper Bostonian, Architectural Digest, Elle Decor, Stuff, Anthropologie Catalog, Urban Outfitters Catalog, various alumni magazines, North Shore, and, yes, Maxim. I'm a magazine fiend - but no worries - they never go to waste!

New Years Resolutions 2012

Here are my resolutions for the new year! (Some are green, while others are just personal goals). Feel free to comment & add suggestions!

1. Become a weekday vegetarian
2. Do an intensive cardio workout at least 3 times a week
3. Eat more fruits and veggies (organic/local)
4. Use more interesting and active verbs in my writing
5. Stick to my budget
6. Take shorter showers
7. Grow more plants
8. Cook at least one new recipe a month
9. Avoid fast fashion (Forever21, Target, H&M, etc.)
10. Travel to at least one new place every 6 months (I'm thinking Vegas, Chicago, or Napa this year...?)
11. Attend at least two green events per month
12. Not use ANY polystyrene cups
13. Do more sketching/drawing
14. Be on time to work in the morning (I am NOT a morning person)
15. Make someone smile every day

Earrings by Bottled Up Designs

This Christmas I received a beautiful pair of cobalt blue glass earrings that were made from salvaged glass bottles. Bottled Up Designs upcycles vintage glass bottles to make unique, green, artisan pieces. These particular earrings were made from a 1960's Noxzema bottle!