Archive for the ‘products’ Category
BUYER BEWARE
I’m a quality girl, I enjoy quality products. I have long been a firm believer in the idea that you get what you pay for. I won’t shell out a lot of cash for things like flip flops, socks and even sometimes panties (those H&M booty shorts are 3 for $10 and super cute). Then there are those items which deserve more than a few pennies tossed their way. For this girl, jeans, hair care and skin care rank in the top three.
I’ve been a consistent user of Bumble & bumble. for a few years now, and never bat an eyelash at the price tag. Sure it’s pricier than your average drugstore brands of hair care, but the results are worth it. It’s as simple as that. Duh.
A few months ago I received a suspicious text message from Becky during one of her south-of-the-border shopping trips. She was shopping at everyone’s favourite “fun find” store, Target, and spotted my beloved Bb. on the shelves. “Hmmm…” I thought to myself. Something wasn’t right, if only because I knew how exclusively Bb. sold their products.
Then again this morning, Jenny mentioned that she saw a few of Bb.’s products in the London Drugs on Davie Street. Naturally, I marched straight there to see the proof in the pudding. And there it was…a few bottles from their Seaweed, Alojoba and Creme de Coco collections.
I thought that Bb. products are only sold in salons, but I saw them in a drugstore, what gives?
We only sell our products through the Bb. Network which is comprised of exclusive salons and apothecaries throughout the world. We have no relationship with any mass market chains and none is authorized to sell Bb. products (and we hate it when they do). The only way to guarantee the efficacy of our products (so you know they’re the real deal) is to buy them from a member of our Network ( see Salon Locator ) or directly from Bumble and bumble. [source]
It was never my intent to dive into a diatribe on retailers who illegally sell products in their stores, but my point is that it’s completely important to have a bit of awareness as a consumer. This morning, as I unscrewed the caps from the “Bb.” I found at London Drugs, my nose was instantly invaded with a sharp stinging sensation - clue no. 1 that it wasn’t a genuine Bb. product. Major retailers, such as London Drugs and Target, are known to carry products obtained through a third party distributor, and the products themselves are often diluted or altered in an attempt to save money. In fact, when Jenny went to New York to attend the actual Bb. academy, she spotted Bb. products in corner stores around Manhattan.
How can you be more aware and support ethical consumerism? Here’s some easy steps:
1. Smell the Product. As I mentioned, the stuff spotted this morning smelled markedly different than genuine Bb. products.
2. Check Your Surroundings. I picked up my favourite perfume a few months back, knowing not many would have it since not even the Bay nor Sears carried it. Imagine my surprise when I spotted a stack of Marc Jacobs gift sets in Courtenay at the Shopper’s Drug Mart. Not only were there just a few available, the fragrance wasn’t available in an individual bottle. If a store genuinely carries a name, such as Marc Jacobs (which SDM doesn’t), a variety of that product will be available.
3. Look At the Label. The first thing I noticed about this morning’s “Bb.” discovery was the bottle of Seaweed. The design had been manipulated and looked nothing like those found in salons.
4. Check the Website. Most major brands are aware of their products being sold on the black market to third parties who then pass them on to chain stores. Usually you can find a disclaimer on any given website verifying this, and also informing you where you can legitimately purchase a product.
5. If It Seems To Good to Be True… it probably is. That DC hoodie you purchased for $20 at Army & Navy probably shouldn’t have been on the rack in the first place.
I’D LIKE TO MEET MY MEAT
Allow me to be completely honest with you for a moment. I love meat. I love steaks, I love ribs, sometimes I love chicken and I have a new found love for fish and chips. Proscuitto is fantastic and salami often makes a sandwich. I also love cooking meat. With countless recipes designed to create and tantalize, it’s hard for me to stay out of the kitchen.
Photo: Another Pint Please… on Flickr
Here’s my problem: how do I go cruelty-free? The truth of the matter is that I am not able, nor do I want, to go completely vegetarian. I, personally, take no issue with the consumption of meat as a food source. I do, however, take huge issue with the ways in which animals are treated before being prepared as food. As an animal lover, I am becoming more and more aware of the absolute importance of humane treatment. I also don’t want to become one of those pretentious, selective eaters.
It’s becoming a gray area for me. One can go so far as to say: “well what about leather handbags and shoes?” That’s an extremely valid point. What about them? How is the source of that leather traceable?
I refuse to rely on PETA’s website because I would presume that everything there would have to be read with a fantastically large grain of salt. I’d find it hard to believe their facts and information wouldn’t be largely biased. This is where you, my readers, come in.
I’ll not lie to you though…giving up McDonald’s and Chinese food will be no easy feat for this chica.
Over to you…
YOU COULD DO WITHOUT
But why would you want to? In celebration of the beginning of July and the start of our summer (I think), here is this girl’s list of Top Ten Essential Summer Items that no girl should be without. So without further adieu, they are…
10. Goody has been making high quality hair accessories and tools for over 100 years now, but I firmly believe that they hit hair gold when the company first came out with their Ouchless products. Doing away with tangling metal closures has been a godsend for tresses, and I personally adore the thin, double-sided headbands from the Ouchless collection. They’re particularly great for keep bangs out of your face on hot and bothersome days (or nights).
9. It’s no secret that a perfect pedicure is key for sandal season, and while fantastic toe colour isn’t the most important part of a pedi, it is certainly the most noticeable. OPI has a range of colours larger than any rainbow with tags that are ridiculously adorable. I have been known, in fact, to pick a colour based solely on the name. Not only that, it goes on better than any nail polish I’ve ever used. Quality is never something to be overlooked, and OPI does a great job at avoiding turning to gunk. Brights are big for summertime; my two faves are this year’s “Purple With A Purpose” and my old faithful, “My Chiahuahua Bites!”
8. Being that it’s summertime, and most of us will naturally start sporting a healthy glow in no time at all, make-up can (and should) be kept to a bare minimum. Who wants to feel a caked-on face in 30 degree heat anyways? One item that should not be overlooked is lip care. And while I love that wind/sunburned feel of my lips after a day of snowboarding, the tissue on your kissers is highly sensitive and prone to burning. MAC’s Tinted Lip Conditioner not only tastes as sweet at my favourite Easter treat, it also sports an admirable SPF level of 15. Who knew?
7. Sometimes a day at the beach is all a girl really needs to get a decent, all-over exfoliation. And sometimes, such as on days like today, the beach really isn’t an option. When that’s the case, it’s necessary to have a great body scrub on hand to ensure that your skin stays soft and smooth. I’ve been using 100% Pure’s chocolate mocha body scrub since last year and it’s true love. The scrub itself is comprised of actual coffee grounds, so it has the potential to make a bit of a mess in the shower. However, it’s organic and smells like heaven so you’ll hear no complaints from me. Find this little gem at Kiss and Makeup in West Vancouver.
6. Ahhh summer…sun, heat and humidity: your hair’s three worst enemies. Okay, well maybe not the sun because that freshly-kissed bleaching the sun shares gives you killer surfer girl tresses. The other two, however, are another story. Luckily my hair is naturally straight, so I’ve never much had to fight the humidity, but I know it’s something that many, many girls struggle with. And even so, straight hair has a tendency to sprout flyaways that are more that irritating to tame. To no surprise, it’s Bumble and bumble. to the rescue. Their Defrizz serum lives up to it’s name and does just that: defrizzes. Those unruly frizzes are a thing of the past, and the serum can be smoothed over the length of your hair to create an incomparable softness.
5. As I’ve gotten older, I’m amazed at all the changes under which my body has gone. Some products that have always worked for me are no longer of any use, mainstream deodorants being one of them. The overwhelming fragrance lines combined with white goo are two things my body just can’t deal with anymore. Who really wants their underarms to smell like honey, coconut or gardenia anyways? A friend recently introduced me to The Crystal, a deodorant made entirely of mineral salts and water. While this product may not be great for those who have actual sweating issues - as The Crystal only protects against odour - it’s fantastic for those who want everyday protection. I’m amazed at the fact that I simply don’t smell - not even a tiny bit. And a little spritz of water and minerals under the arm is much safer than the chemical goo that we tend to slap under there.
4. This cream is MY LIFE. While I would like to stick it at the top of my list (being that it’s the highest-ranked hair product on my list), it’s not the most crucial overall summer item. It is, however, a crucial overall summer item. As I mentioned above, the summer months can bring excessive damage to your mane, so a little bit of extra TLC should definitely be encouraged. Bumble and bumble. recently stocked this new item in salon shelves and the Creme De Coco Masque is being snapped up left and right. Combine the luscious scents of coconuts, chocolate, vanilla and sunshine and mix them with the most ultimate and softest conditioner you will ever experience, and you’ve got a winning product. Enough said.
3. More important than picking a fabulous colour with which to decorate your little piggies is a a fantastic foot cream that you can slather on twice a day. On my recent trip to the Kingfisher Spa, my heels were treated to the Gehwol experience - a German line of footcare derived from nature. I brought home with me their “Fusskraft Red Light” cream, which combines rosemary, pine and lavender extracts with a bit of cayenne pepper. Weird? Yes. Delightful? Yes. It isn’t, however, the only foot cream I use. Each summer at the Comox Valley’s Filberg Festival, I make sure to stop by the Cascadia Soaps booth to pick up their Shea Butter Salve, made locally in White Rock. While it’s excellent for your tender tootsies, I’ve also found it’s phenomenal to use in the bikini area to soothe and smooth.
2. So after toe colour and foot cream, surely you must be asking yourself what I deem to be the most important foot product? Okay, maybe not, but I’ll tell you anyways. At the spa, I also picked up Gehwol’s Swiss-made wooden foot file. Why I never had this foot file before it beyond me. I promptly threw out my Cover Girl foot file and will now use only this tool. I had lunch with Becky the other day and showed her my feet. Her reaction: “Wow…um, you have, like, no calluses.” It’s true, ladies. And gents, your feet should never be neglected. My secret? After your evening shower or soak, slather obscene amounts of Vaseline on your feet, wrap them tightly with cling wrap and pull some socks on. Wait about 30 minutes and prepare to be amazed.
1. Come on - are you really that surprised at my number one essential? While I enjoy rockin’ a healthy glow as much as the next girl, I am somewhat opposed to the idea of having skin comparable to Calamity Jane’s leather chaps when I’m 40. No one can resist the scent of summery coconut, and Hawaiian Tropic’s full line of skin care and sunblock provides that luscious beach-infused scent we’ve all come to love. A protection level of SPF 15 should be your minimum for days playing in the sun. And remember: wearing sunblock doesn’t mean that you won’t burn - it just means you can play a little longer. For example, if you’ll burn after 15 minutes, you can expect to turn pink after 150 minutes if you slather on SPF 10. See? Science is simple. Hmmm…or maybe I mean math.
YOU SHOULD PROBABLY READ THIS
My kitchen, for the most part, normally has a good stock of food (or at least the ingredients required to bake chocolate chip cookies at a moment’s notice).
My bathroom cabinets, too, are almost always stuffed full. The cupboards overflow with a seeming abundance of shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, tampons, condoms, toilet paper, toothpaste (and a toothbrush!), razor blades, soap, lotion, lip balm and anything else you can think of. And if I run out, Shopper’s Drug Mart is half a block away, so refilling the supply is never a problem.
For some women, however, acquiring even one or two of these items is next to impossible.
Photo: dtes.people on Flickr
The items I listed above are just a fraction of what’s needed, and unfortunately, the resources for the women of Vancouver’s downtown eastside are next to none. The clean socks and finely bristled hairbrushes we all take for granted are a luxury to some women.
This is where you come in. Last week, on another dreary and rainy day in Vancouver, Phaedra and I came up with an idea that will, hopefully, give many of these women the opportunity to take in a few of the items needed on a daily - and monthly - basis. Most of us are fortunate to have jobs, pay the bills and supply ourselves with what we need, so banded together, it’s not an impossibilty to put together “care kits” and distribute them accordingly.
Becky has been awesome enough to start a Wiki page (Women Helping Women) in this regard where we can trade ideas, generate fundraising avenues and contribute. Visit Women Helping Women, join up and start the discussion. Our hope is to meet sometime within the next week or two to put our heads together. If you have ideas, funds or items to contribute, leave a message, e-mail me (keira at keira-anne dot com) or pop a note on the Wiki page.
P.S. Just because you may be a dude, it doesn’t exempt you. Be a gentleman and offer a helping hand.
ONCE, TWICE, THREE TIMES A LADY
It’s doubtful that you’ll enjoy tonight’s post unless you’re of the softer-skinned, lovely-scented, shiny hair variety, but that being said, both boys and girls alike may get a kick out of this. I want to jump around to three different places, so hang on - tight!
Appearance Modification Products
One thing I love about getting back to the Island is suburban shopping; in particular, cheaper shopping. It’s always easier to stock up on the goods a girl needs when in small towns.
First up, I grabbed Nivea’s new Summer Touch body lotion with sunless tanner and firming qualities. Being that I’m still in my 20s, firmness doesn’t concern me, but practicing safe sun does. The lotion promises a sunkissed appearance after five days. I’m on day two and already very impressed. I also snagged a cannister of Skintimate’s new “Lotionized” shave gel. Words cannot possibly express the softness said shave gel provides.
As you can see, I finally finished deciding between skincare products and settled on old faithful, Clinique. Already my skin is tingling in delight, so it’s rather clear I made a good choice.
Despite the rain, thunder and lightning outside my apartment window, summer is around the corner, and now is the time to stock up on footwear for sunny days. If you wait until June or July, I’m guessing you’ll be out of luck. Two pairs of flip flops, one pair black and one pair brown, $7.98 each. Score.
Hot summer nights require cool summer attire. With such a long hem and high neckline, I probably couldn’t have picked a less sexy nightgown, but I love the femininity it oozes. Plus, it’s ridiculously light and comfortable.
I like to call it my Jenny Gump gown.
A Journey Through Vogue
As I sat on the Coastal Renaissance on Friday evening, I found myself flipping through the May 2008 edition of Vogue magazine. For some reason, I especially enjoyed this month’s read; much more than most editions. Here were some highlights that either made me ooh, ahh or chuckle.
Courtesy of Vogue magazine - May 2008
Courtesy of Vogue magazine - May 2008
Courtesy of Vogue magazine - May 2008. Designed exclusively for Vogue by Olivier Theyskens for Nina Ricci.
Courtesy of Vogue magazine - May 2008. Designed exclusively for Vogue by Dolce&Gabbana.
I’ve never been much in agreement with others when told I look like her. In truth, I just never saw it. That is, however, until I saw this snapshot within the article of her and her son. It’s a little eerie, actually.
Courtesy of Vogue magazine - May 2008
Courtesy of Vogue magazine - May 2008. Designed by Alexander McQueen.
Which brings me to my third and final point for the evening…
Eating Well For My Body
Everyone who knows me knows I’m a Jugo Juice addict. In fact, I’ve already brought a couple friends over to the Dark Side. Grabbing a “Skinny Peach” juicie has become a daily habit of mine, so out of curiosity, I went to JJ’s website to look up the nutritional information. Oddly enough, everything but the sugar content was listed.
Photo: Little An on Flickr
Being that, as of late, my mom has become somewhat of a walking encyclopedia when it comes to nutritional information, I asked her to give it a shot and figure out the sugar content. We guesstimated somewhere between 18 and 20 grams of sugar per serving! Sick!
I know that natural sugars are necessary, but that is a huge sugar and carb load all at once. Bikini season will arrive before I even know it, so I think it’s time to cut down the JJ addiction to Saturdays, and only while running errands. (That being said, thank goodness Casey’s getting a haircut this weekend!) Drinking that each day while sitting on my rump at my desk is a bad, bad idea.
Sorry to break the news to you, ladies.
CADEAUX POUR MOI?
Oui, c’est vrai! Sometimes a girl needs a little retail therapy to make herself feel better, and sometimes she needs it for no reason whatsoever. Today was one of those “no reason whatsoever” days. A quick lunchtime trip to Holt Renfrew allowed me to cross off an item on my summertime list of wants. Daisy by Marc Jacobs was being offered in a gift set for a little over one hundred smackers, so it was a deal I couldn’t quite pass up.
My day of delicious-smelling fortune didn’t end there. A few weeks ago, I found my way to my usual salon in an attempt to re-stock up on my Bumble and bumble staples, only to be disappointed that their Gentle shampoo and Alojoba conditioner were on back order. To tide myself over, I grabbed a travel size bottle of each and made my way home again. However, I soon discovered that something wasn’t quite right with the shampoo. Worried that B&b had changed the formula of the one shampoo I’ve used for years on end (with no build-up, I must add), I fired off an e-mail to B&b in New York. There’s a rotten apple in every sack, and it seems I must’ve simply got a bogus bottle through no fault of B&b’s. I know for a fact that their products are rigorously tested in an effort to maintain top quality, and so as a token of goodwill and excellent customer service, B&b offered to send me a full-size replacement bottle.
Naturally, I gladly accepted.
My next beauty product-related dilemma isn’t too far away. I’m dangerously close to being completely out of my Kiehl’s products, but to be honest, it’s not the end of the world. After a few months’ use, I’m less than impressed and am now trying to decide between going back to old, affordable faithful (Clinique) or revisiting new, yet expensive, stellar-liciousness (Ren). Any input, ladies and gentlemen?
DON’T HATE ME BECAUSE I’M ____________.
It’s okay, I get it. Many of you who read this blog are my friends and family and, therefore, have a great deal of love for me. However, it hasn’t escaped me that a few of my readers have quite a sour taste in their mouths for me and their reasons for checking in on my blog are more of a guilty pleasure; a love/hate, if you will. I’m a big girl - I can handle that. So for those of you who dislike me, here’s one of those rare shallow gems for your reading and viewing displeasure to fuel your feelings.
Yesterday, after work, I did something I’d long been meaning to do: I bought new jeans. Growing up on the Island, shopping wasn’t something in which much selection was offered. At Christmastime in seventh grade I was beyond thrilled to receive my first pair of Guess jeans. Everybody had ‘em! After that, I stuck mostly to Mavi, Silver and Gap (once Woodgrove Centre in Nanaimo got one). It wasn’t until the last handful of years that I started to learn more about fashion, what looks good and what fits properly. The truth is, I have long legs and a narrow waist, and mass jean manufacturers simply don’t cut their jeans to suit. Even Gap’s ‘Long and Lean’ collection presumes that “if you’re tall then surely you must have saddlebags, so let’s put in extra fabric to accommodate for them.” The truth is, I’m 5-foot-9 with a 3/4 waist.
Two years ago, a beautiful friend helped me discover jeans of a more designer calibre. It started with Citizens of Humanity and never stopped there. The truth is, when jeans are properly designed, they fit the body that wears them that much better. And so last night I pushed open the glass doors of Holt Renfrew and bought myself a new pair from Rock and Republic. And I love them. And they were worth every penny.
ADDICTED TO GREEN
I’ve been waiting on pins and needles for this weekend’s Green Living Show at BC Place Stadium. Educating myself, particularly with respect to subjects that fit in with my values, has always been something I’ve held in high importance. I’m always excited to go on adventures with Becky, and this was no exception. My plan was to review the show, share some pictures and point you, my readers, in some interesting directions (if you planned on visiting the show). However, it turned out that there was so much to learn, see, do, take in and read about that to re-cap it all in one post will be impossible.
That being said, I plan on creating a series of posts which will appear here and on the frogblog over on the happyfrog website, breaking down some of the ideas shared, products presented and anything else that I think will be beneficial and of interest to you all.
The truth is, sustainable living is something that can be applied to a part of nearly every facet of everyday life, from food and clothing to transportation and construction. Each and every one of us are responsible for doing our part, and to do so is much easier than most may realize. Even just changing one aspect of your life is a change for the better, whether it be eating locally-produced vegetables or incorporating more eco-friendly fabrics into your wardrobe (bamboo is terrific and irresistibly soft). Organic beer is even an option if you just need to take baby steps!
That being said, here’s a look at some of the shenanigans us ladies got up to:
Here’s a quick list of particular booths, products, ideas and services I recommend checking out:
Also, make sure you stop by the Clear FM booth and enter for a chance to win a $2,000 “Eco-Dream Deluxe Bedroom Makeover” from Dream Designs, including 1 queen size organic cotton supreme futon mattress, 1 queen size organic cotton sateen sheet set & duvet cover, 2 standard size organic buckwheat comfort cloud pillows, 2 standard size kapok filled pillows, 1 bamboo filled duvet, 1 hemp shower curtain and delivery anywhere in Vancouver.
Two final pieces of very important advice I leave you with:
1. Though you will be tempted to try samples of all the foods and beverages you see, once your tummy is full of no less than organic chocolate, organic beer, coconut oil, hemp butter, organic wine and hemp milk, that same tummy will be very, very angry with you.
2. The guy running the Zipcar booth is very cute.
NO KILLER, ALL FILLER
On the cusp of the weekend and the verge of time spent with my Wiggle Bum, it’s time for an easy read. I’ll save the meatier stuff for another day…
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If you’re just spending the weekend kicking around like I am, then why not kick up your heels on Sunday night and tune in to Test the Nation? The ever-lovely Miss604 will be in Toronto representing Vancouver bloggers, so show some love.
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I got many special gifts for Christmas in December, but one in particular was a (children’s) book titled ‘I am Raven,’ written by David Bouchard and illustrated by Comox-born artist Andy Everson. On Tuesday night I finally gave myself some time to open and read it. I had been fully expecting to be re-affirmed of something I was sure I already knew, but reading the tale turned out to be a rather surprising experience. The story itself encourages those that read it to keep to themselves what has been learned, and so I will not actually share what the experience was like for me. However, if it’s something that intrigues you, I encourage you to seek out this story.
‘I am Raven’ is published by MTW Publishers based in North Vancouver.
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While I’m delving into First Nation art for the moment, there’s someone you need to check out on Flickr. Over the holidays, a small exhibition of First Nation art was on display in the Comox Valley, and I was fortunate enough to meet one young artist from Vancouver. Andrew Dexcel, known as en paa uk on Flickr, has taken his love and craft for street graffiti and combined it with his culture and heritage to create completely unique and amazing contemporary pieces. Needless to say, I’d love to own one of my own.
‘Moon‘ and other pieces created by Andrew Dexcel can be found on his Flickr site.
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Like a young child about to experience their first tangible Christmas, Becky has been asking me to tell her again and again what this mythical land of Mount Washington Alpine Resort is like. It’s pure, sensational and euphoric. It’s only minutes from my family’s home in the Comox Valley and a place that is nothing short of perfection. Breathing the air up there is something else. At 8:29 a.m. this morning, though it’s clouded over in downtown Vancouver, the sun was appropriately enough rising over the Sunrise Quad chair.
Photo: Mount Washington Alpine Resort
Becky, allow me to take a moment to tell you what it is you have to look forward to if I still haven’t convinced you:
Now if only someone could help Becky and I find an apres hot tub to use. We’ll supply the bikinis…
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Two days ago I made mention of a few new products from Kiehl’s that I picked up en route to my apartment after work. First off, let me say “wow!” For the first time ever, my skin feels not like my skin. It feels like some amazing new layer of silk that’s been draped over my face. Yesterday I made my way into Holt Renfrew at lunch and also grabbed Kiehls’ Creme de Corps all-over body moisturizer. I am convinced that my skin will never be the same again. All I want to do is touch myself.
I HEART STUFF
If you know me, you know that I’m a product whore. When I’m feeling blue or bummed or bored or blasé, new products are always a cure-all hit. Okay, so the high may be temporary, but it’s definitely a hell of a lot of fun while it lasts.
I know I mentioned last month that I’d be jumping back on the Clinique bandwagon, but the idea was less-than-inspiring. Besides, it was one of those things my skin had grown so accustomed to that I was practically desensitized to the products. Today I pushed open the front door at the Robson Street Kiehl’s. On the market since 1851…
Kiehl’s was founded as an old-world apothecary in New York’s East Village neighborhood over 150 years ago. Throughout the years, we have remained dedicated to providing our patrons uniquely efficacious skin and hair products through the most attentive, personalized service. Each of us is committed to serving our customers and communities alike through the highest service standards.
For a smidgen past the price tag for Clinique, Kiehl’s provides products that are comprised of high quality ingredients, are low in preservatives and highly concentrated formulas. It’s a fine blending of backgrounds in cosmetic, herbal, pharmaceutical and medicinal expertise that makes it a unique product. I guess I shouldn’t be flying the Kiehl’s flag just yet since I have yet to actually try the products. However, from the sounds of it, they’re most certainly a company with a philosophy that I can support. I’ll keep you posted.
But for now, have a look at the products I snagged…
(Click the pics to visit the product pages on the Kiehl’s website)
Foaming Non-Detergent Washable Cleanser
Herbal Toner with Mixed Berries and Extracts
Pineapple Papaya Facial Scrub
Sodium PCA Oil-Free Moisturizer
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Today, January 15, 2008, I got quite possibly the most creative and unique Christmas card in the mail.
First, click here.
And now see for yourself…
My friend Baxter, front bottom, spawned this genius idea while my friend Toni [website], front top, shot it in his home studio. Genius, I do say. What’s most intriguing about the photo is that, in reality, all four boys are complete teddy bears.
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And lastly, on a rather sad note, a very young and talented actor passed away today. Since he first entered the movie scene at the tender age of 12, Brad Renfro was an actor I admired. He possessed immense talent and had an undeniable charm on the screen. Renfro’s is certainly a face I will miss seeing over popcorn and flat soda, but one can only hope that he’s found his own peace at the end of a rather tumultuous life. Brad Renfro was 25 years old.