I was reading a column the other day where the author frowned on any use of faux fur. She felt that looking like you were wearing animal fur of any sort – even fake – was unsettling. I will admit that I am not a fan of certain types of faux fur.  I can’t explain exactly why, but wearing anything that is supposed to look like pony fur, for example, feels wrong to me personally. (Ponies? What’s next?  Faux puppy skin? Ick.).

Vegan, but not necessarily eco-friendly, faux fur is traditionally made from materials like acryllic or polyester.  At this point, I’d say the greenest way to go faux is to shop vintage. I’ll keep my eye out for more options to share in the future.  (If you know of eco-friendly faux fur choices, please share them with me!!) 

Here are a few cute vintage items that will add a warm, welcome boost to any cold weather blahs you may be experiencing.

60s Fabulous Faux Fur Coat
Found at Green Violet Vintage, Etsy
$80

Made of Lynx-look faux fur, this coat is lined with gold brocade and features a fancy, full-cut collar. It’s made by Russel Taylor and available in small, medium, and large. It’s noted as being in excellent condition.

Vintage Emanuel Ungaro Leopard Print Mini
Found at Stelma Designs
$40

Gorgeous couture mini in excellent vintage condition. What a fun piece to add to your wardrobe at only $40. Wow. It’s a size 8/42 petite.  Great choice to build a New Year’s Eve outfit around.

Take a look at Etsy and see what else you can find. I used “Faux Fur“, then “Vintage” as the keywords for my search.

Image credits: Green Violet Vintage and Stelma Designs at Etsy

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The Fall Collection includes beautiful appliqued bags. Each piece an artist statement. Below you can find a few that I thought were especially cute. If you find something that you like, then use offer code DEAL25 at checkout to receive 25% off of your purchase price.

Autumn Leaves

The Autumn Leaves bag is available in two shoulder strap styles. One has a tote-bag look with a brown faux leather handle set in the middle of the bag. There’s also a bag that they are calling North South with a up and down rectangular shape and an additional zipper down the side. Both are made in a khaki canvas with a brown applique. 

Wavy Canvas

The Wavy Canvas bags are made of a quilted canvas. They are fully lined and the shoulder straps are made of PVC in either an orange or a dark brown. It comes in a tote or a large or small hobo bag. 

Image credit: Noah Hand Bags

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After much research, Alt found that the body absorbs 60% of what is placed upon the skin. She wanted to develop a healthier alternative to traditional skin care. RAW Essentials is the end result. The products are made with certified raw ingredients, they are vegan, and cruelty-free. They contain no petroleum, sulfates, detergents, parabens, synthetic preservatives, GMOs, artificial colors or fragrances.

RAW Essentials sent me a few of their items to sample for review. I tried the following products:

Raw-Juvenate Eye Recoup – Contains pure Aloe, Virgin Coconut Oil, Mushroom extract

Raw Vita Eye Serum- Contains pure Aloe, Tamanu Oil, Virgin Coconut Oil

Raw-Acivate Daily Revitaling Facial Moisturizer- Contains pure  Aloe, Tamanu Oil, Virgin Coconut Oil, Citrus Oil

Raw-Finish Rigorous Face Scrub- Contains pure Aloe, Eucalyptus Leaf Oil, Sucrose Cocoate

Raw-Scue Night Restore Cream- Contains pure Aloe, Squalene, Virgin Coconut Oil, Licorice Root Extract

I liked all the products. I feel that they work well – gentle, but thorough. My favorite items would be the Eye Recoup and the Night Cream. The Eye Recoup felt cool on my skin, soothing.  I like that it can be used both under the eye and on the eyelid itself.  The Night Cream felt thick and moisturizing, but it was not greasy and my skin absorbed it completely.  I like that the RAW Essentials products are affordable and that they smell good.

The only problem that I had with the products is the packaging. The Eye Recoup dispenses too much at once, which can lead to waste. The Eye Serum has a metal ball and once you get it flowing, it works great, but you have to roll it over and over before any comes out.

You can learn more about RAW Essentials here.

Image credit: Michelle Smith

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I’m a certified massage therapist, but you don’t need to go to school to learn how to give your partner a loving massage. Keep the following tips in mind…..

*Gather your supplies before you get started. Once you begin the massage, it’s jarring to the person you are massaging if you have to step away. A massage therapist tries to keep one hand on their client at all times.

*Turn the TV down low or better yet, turn it off. Play soft music or go with the quiet. Use lamplight or candle light, rather than overhead lighting.

*Always pour the massage oil into your hand first, warm it by rubbing hands together, then apply it to your partner’s skin with your hands.

*Use long strokes with firm pressure. Try to make your hand cover as much skin surface as possible – hand flattened to the skin. This is the most comforting, reassuring touch. (Really, it doesn’t matter what type of stroke you use, this type of touch is all you need). 

*Take your time. In the case of a good massage, it’s almost as good to give as it is to receive. Slowing down and tuning into your partner’s breathing is very relaxing.

*Take turns. There’s no getting around it – the person who goes last gets the best deal. Switch who goes first each time.

A good massage oil  has a subtle scent and allows the hands to slide along the skin smoothly. The Scandle candle is a soy candle that burns at low heat. As the candle melts it turns into a fragrant massage oil.

I tried the Uplifting Blend  in the Scandle Essentials line. These candles are scented with a blend of pure essential oils. A 10 ounce candle burns for 30-50 hours and runs $21.95.  It’s packaged in a ceramic container that features a little spout for ease of use. Refills are available for $9.99.  Scandle Essentials are also available in a 4 ounce Travel Tin (this is the size I sampled).

The Scandle is easy to use. Light the candle, allow it to melt, then when enough soy oil has accumulated, blow the candle out, pour the oil into your hand, then apply it to the skin for massage.

The Scandle candle works well as a massage oil – smooth, slippery, smells great – and the skin feels very soft after the oil is absorbed. When you figure that it’s a candle and a massage oil, it’s also a very economical choice.

Ceramic Scandle image credit: A Body Candle.com
Traveler size Scandle image credit: Michelle Smith

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The dog shampoo is cruelty-free and  John Masters will donate a $1 from the sale of each bottle to the Animal Haven  no-kill sanctuary in New York City.

Eucalyptus & Tea Tree Dogpoo
$20 for 16 ounces

Below is a list of some of the good-for-dog ingredients and the reason each was included in the formula. Each is Certified Organic.

*Neem – contains fatty acids to soothe and nourish dog’s coat & skin
*Citronella – natural insect and tick repellent
*Tea tree – great scalp regulator; helps to reduce flaking & itching
*Eucalyptus – wards off fleas & ticks
*Milk Thistle – conditions coat

John Masters recommends using the Lavendar Hydrating Mist  to impart even more shine on your pet’s coat.

Image credit: John Masters.com

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Golden Path Alchemy says…

We are the only company that synergistically combines gem and flower essences, therapeutic grade essential oils, Chinese and Western medicinals and botanicals uniting Eastern, Western, modern and ancient techniques to transform the skin.

Golden Path Alchemy sent me a variety of products to try for review. These included masks like the Bright Mask, Goji Glow Mask, Silk Herbal Mask, the Renew Toner, and the Renew Serum. I liked all the masks. They left my skin feeling smooth and the Goji Glow smelled like a Fig Newton cookie (yum).

My favorite product was the Renew Serum. I have some lines near my eyes and I noticed that after a week of using the serum, these lines were less noticeable. I was shocked (and excited). I would recommend this serum over all the other serums I have tried.

In addition to liking the products, I also respect what the ladies at Golden Path Alchemy stand for. They are committed to producing a quality, green product.

Image credit: Golden Path Alchemy

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I have a few basic makeup brushes that I use all the time:

*Kabuki brush- A kabuki brush is a short, full brush. It’s used with mineral foundation application.

*Cover Up brush- This is a short brush, sort of thin, tapered at the ends. I use mine to apply powder concealer. You might chose a smaller, narrower brush for liquid or stick concealer.

*Eye Shadow Brush- I use a small, square-shaped brush for applying eye shadow. It’s soft, but  has a bit of firmness to it. You want it to apply color, but not scatter it all over your cheek.

*Eyeliner brush- This is a small, firm, angled brush. You can use it either wet or dry with a powder shadow/liner.

Sephora carries a collection of synthetic (vegan) antibacterial brushes that has each of these brush types in it.

You don’t have to buy a collection – my brushes are a ragtag bunch of brushes that I’ve collected over the years because they fit my needs. This brush set is a customer favorite with a rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars.

Once you find your perfect tools, remember to care for them properly  and they will last for years.

Image credit: Sephora.com

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I’m looking for something cute and casual, with a a little more style than a sneaker.  Draven has a couple of slip-on type sneaker shoes that are 40% off. Like this pair…….

Polka Fiend Slip On Sneaker
$18, regularly $30

I love both the polka dots and the flirty red bow. Very cute.

Juniper Shoe from Keep Shoes
$29.95, regularly $50

I love stripes and this pair of slip-ons with stripes in purple and grey are adorable.

Orchard Shoe from Novacas
$49.99, regularly $199.95

Great price on a cute heel. I love the red color, the rounded toe, and big bold button. It’s also available in green and black.

Marmoset Pump from Neuaura
$76.30, regularly $109

I can always use an updated pair of black pumps. I love this pair with the criss-cross strap and the extra pointy toe. I’ll admit it, I love a really pointy shoe. I think it has something to do with my first pair of black pumps.

Image credit: Moo Shoes

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Origins has come up with something special in their new mineral makeup – it’s like a breakfast for your face. Breakfast for your face?  Yes, it does sound silly, but their new Multi-Grain™ Makeupcontains the nutrient-rich ingredients organic oatmeal, soy, tapioca, rice flour, barley, wheat germ, pomegranate, gogi berry, and the vitamins C and E.

Sounds like it lays a healthy base on your face, doesn’t it? Origins polled users of the foundation and 91% thought that their skin looked “naturally radiant,” while 78% saw an instant improvement in the appearance of their complexion.

Multi-Grain™ Makeup
$25

It’s oil-free, talc-free, fragrance-free and contains an SPF14. It’s available in 5 shades that range from light to deep-toned.  To use the mineral foundation, you apply a small amount with a brush, in a series of light layers until you achieve your perfect coverage.

Right now Origins is offering an online special buy. Get a free foundation brush with purchase of their Multi-Grain™ Makeup. It’s a vegan brush and it was specially designed to work with the makeup. After the promotion, the brush will be available for $22.

Image credit: Origins.com

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Their philosophy is this……

…We believe health should never be sacrificed for beauty. We also believe good habits start at a young age. It is our responsibility to educate our children to the dangers of chemicals in the world and in the products they use. At Good For You Girls™, we are committed to making truly effective skincare without harmful or questionable ingredients. Our products contain good-for-your-skin ingredients that are both beneficial and beautifying. By creating Good For You Girls™ skincare, we hope to give girls the confidence to face the world, knowing how truly beautiful they are on the inside and the outside.

My daughter, Sarah, is a regular Good For You Girls skincare user. She’s 11 and I believe that teaching her to care for her skin now can only lead to healthier skin in the future.

 The Good For You Girls products are vegan, totally cruelty-free, with no dyes or GMOs, and no Sulfates or Parabens. They are scented naturally with the essential oil of Grapefruit, Orange, Lemon, and Bergamot. The packaging is recyclable and made out of recycled products.

I am very excited, because I have two exciting Good For You Girls offers. The first is a coupon for 15% for Splendicity readers. It lasts for the entire month of September, 2009.  It’s easy to use, just enter the code SPLENDICITY at checkout.

The other offer is the chance to win a set of Good For You Girls skincare for your own girl. To enter the giveaway, please leave a comment below and I’ll pick a random winner in one week.

Good luck!

*This giveaway is opent to residents of the US only.

Image credit: Good For You Girls

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