It's that time of year, when everyone does some reflecting about the year that's passed. I know it's been quite a year for me personally -- completing a journey through cancer treatment that ultimately led me to the creation and launch of SMACK! (which has been a whole other journey of its own).
So here's what we've learned along the way:
-- Blogging during NHL Playoffs is not easy. Next year I'll have to step up my game with a new level of focus and discipline. Or go on hiatus.
-- There is no consistency -- NONE -- among brands and the products they make. Read your labels!
-- Lipton is stupid.
-- Revlon doesn't really care.
-- Real change happens only at the benefit of the retailer or the manufacturer; consumers need to relearn the subtle art of speaking with their wallets as well as with their voices.
-- Nicholas Kristof at the New York Times is one of my heroes.
-- Reducing your chemical load -- even by the smallest amounts -- isn't difficult, as long as you're willing to put in the time and effort behind learning what's in the products you use.
As always, I am totally indebted to all of you SMACK! readers. THANK YOU for making our first year really great. I can't wait to see what 2014 has in store! I hope you all have a BLAST tonight (being safe, of course), and we'll see you next year!
Cheers,
Jazzy
Tuesday, December 31, 2013
Monday, December 30, 2013
Dirty laundry
My washing machine went on permanent strike last week. It didn't come as a surprise, since I don't remember the last time a load spun properly. But of course I had just changed all the beds in the house to get ready for Christmas so the mountain of laundry was immediately taller than I am (and growing exponentially every day since). All kinds of awesome.
Buying a new washer has been something of an education. Not only about how the new fancy machines work, but also about detergent. I don't mind, what with all this free time I have not doing laundry, and it's a natural topic for SMACK! Let's dive in.
GoodGuide rates laundry soap here. Method takes home top scores in the health category for all their laundry detergents as does Ecos Free & Clear Laundry Detergent and a few sets from Caldrea and Ecover Laundry Powder. ALL scrapes the bottom of the barrel with a health score of '0' on 15 of the 22 worst-rated products. Ouch.
EWG uses letter grades instead of numerical rankings for household cleaners. Their list of laundry products is here, with only 70 products out of 678 -- barely 10% -- receiving an 'A' or 'B' grade. EWG awards top marks to Ecover, Seventh Generation and Dr. Bronner's. Products from Green Shield, Nature Clean and Whole Foods round out the head of the class, all with 'A' grades.
A surprising entry to EWG's worst rated products was Green Works, which is made by the Clorox Company. It's a great example of 'greenwashing' -- that thing where marketing and labeling take advantage of terms like 'naturally derived' to convince consumers of a product's safety. Most of the popular store brands (Tide, ALL, Wisk, Arm & Hammer) have products with failing grades. It's a grim outlook on the market.
The higher-end front loading washing machines feature the very trendy steam cleaning and sanitizing. You're kind of boiling your clothes. Electrolux claims that its steam sanitizing cycle kills 99.9% of bacteria. If that's true, it means a very safe alternative to using bleach. Love it.
How does your detergent clean up? Me, I'll be looking for a new HE product to go with the new space age washer/dryer set we're buying. OF COURSE I'll share an in-depth review, because I love to try new things!
Yours in week-old sweats,
-- Jazzy
Buying a new washer has been something of an education. Not only about how the new fancy machines work, but also about detergent. I don't mind, what with all this free time I have not doing laundry, and it's a natural topic for SMACK! Let's dive in.
GoodGuide rates laundry soap here. Method takes home top scores in the health category for all their laundry detergents as does Ecos Free & Clear Laundry Detergent and a few sets from Caldrea and Ecover Laundry Powder. ALL scrapes the bottom of the barrel with a health score of '0' on 15 of the 22 worst-rated products. Ouch.
EWG uses letter grades instead of numerical rankings for household cleaners. Their list of laundry products is here, with only 70 products out of 678 -- barely 10% -- receiving an 'A' or 'B' grade. EWG awards top marks to Ecover, Seventh Generation and Dr. Bronner's. Products from Green Shield, Nature Clean and Whole Foods round out the head of the class, all with 'A' grades.
A surprising entry to EWG's worst rated products was Green Works, which is made by the Clorox Company. It's a great example of 'greenwashing' -- that thing where marketing and labeling take advantage of terms like 'naturally derived' to convince consumers of a product's safety. Most of the popular store brands (Tide, ALL, Wisk, Arm & Hammer) have products with failing grades. It's a grim outlook on the market.
The higher-end front loading washing machines feature the very trendy steam cleaning and sanitizing. You're kind of boiling your clothes. Electrolux claims that its steam sanitizing cycle kills 99.9% of bacteria. If that's true, it means a very safe alternative to using bleach. Love it.
How does your detergent clean up? Me, I'll be looking for a new HE product to go with the new space age washer/dryer set we're buying. OF COURSE I'll share an in-depth review, because I love to try new things!
Yours in week-old sweats,
-- Jazzy
Blogging schedule
Just a quickie to let you know that I am posting this week, but it's still going to be sporadic. Another week of vacation to usher in the new year, and then back to routine and structure (and more regular blogging).
I expect another relatively quiet week on the news front, so we'll look at a new category of household products later today and try to get in a look back at the year [almost] behind us.
Thanks always for visiting (especially when schedules are crazy, yours and mine), reading, sharing!
Happy Monday,
Jazzy
Thursday, December 26, 2013
SMACK! Review: Zoya nail lacquer (part 2)
I'm nearly a week out from my pedicure with Zoya nail polish in the 'Sarah' shade. The original post with the first half of the review is here.
So how's it hanging? Pretty good if you ask me! The polish still looks glossy and fresh. I was really happy with how it's been wearing, so I decided to give myself a little Christmas mani with the lighter 'Erikka' shade. And what did I learn?
That I should leave the manicuring to the professionals. Really.
About the polish, the 'Erikka' shade is a shimmery pink with a touch of gold for warmth. Not as sheer as the jar color would have you think, though. So two coats -- albeit by my unsteady and unskilled hand -- look a bit like cotton candy that's just been sprayed with pixie dust. Not a bad color, just not really what I normally go for in the ballet pink color family.
It's also really dull. Like, not shiny. Not matte, but not glossy. Now granted, I used neither a base coat or top coat (see what I mean about leaving the nail painting to the professionals? I'm a hack). But still, doesn't non-matte nail lacquer always have that glossy fresh finish?
It could be the fact that Zoya is five-free. It could be the shade. It could be that I'm a loser who skips base coat and top coat and then complains about her nail polish looking crappy. Smooth move, Jazzy.
At the end of the day, my fingernails are jacked but my toenails still look great. My next assignment will be to try it with the right clear coat and also try another brand of five-free polish to see how they compare. In the meantime, don't take me up on any offers to paint your nails. You'll get what you pay for.
Best,
Jazzy
PS -- The Erikka shade isn't listed on the Zoya website...old color??
So how's it hanging? Pretty good if you ask me! The polish still looks glossy and fresh. I was really happy with how it's been wearing, so I decided to give myself a little Christmas mani with the lighter 'Erikka' shade. And what did I learn?
That I should leave the manicuring to the professionals. Really.
About the polish, the 'Erikka' shade is a shimmery pink with a touch of gold for warmth. Not as sheer as the jar color would have you think, though. So two coats -- albeit by my unsteady and unskilled hand -- look a bit like cotton candy that's just been sprayed with pixie dust. Not a bad color, just not really what I normally go for in the ballet pink color family.
It's also really dull. Like, not shiny. Not matte, but not glossy. Now granted, I used neither a base coat or top coat (see what I mean about leaving the nail painting to the professionals? I'm a hack). But still, doesn't non-matte nail lacquer always have that glossy fresh finish?
It could be the fact that Zoya is five-free. It could be the shade. It could be that I'm a loser who skips base coat and top coat and then complains about her nail polish looking crappy. Smooth move, Jazzy.
At the end of the day, my fingernails are jacked but my toenails still look great. My next assignment will be to try it with the right clear coat and also try another brand of five-free polish to see how they compare. In the meantime, don't take me up on any offers to paint your nails. You'll get what you pay for.
Best,
Jazzy
PS -- The Erikka shade isn't listed on the Zoya website...old color??
Wednesday, December 25, 2013
Christmas magic
Merry Christmas! Quickie post today, just to let you know that we're still kicking around here at SMACK!, even during the holiday. Come and visit if you need a break from all that gorging.
My washing machine broke two days ago. Santa, little help? At first I was really annoyed but then I realized that it meant I don't have to do laundry! Bonus. And I can't buy a new washer without devoting a post to laundry detergent. I'll try to pull that together in the next couple days.
And, since I know you're all curious, the Zoya nail polish on my piggies still looks great. Yay for five-free! I did also try a different shade on my hands. That, er, didn't go so well. I'll be sure to cover it all in Part 2 of my review.
Enjoy your day! My wish for you is that today -- whether you celebrate or not -- is peaceful and full of good cheer.
Best wishes,
Jazzy
Sunday, December 22, 2013
SMACK! Review: Zoya nail lacquer (part 1)
Finally got to take my new Zoya nail color for a test drive the other day. I'm breaking this review up into two parts to cover not just how the nail polish goes on, but also how it stays on. So expect an update in a couple weeks to see how it's wearing.
Here's how it went down. I decided to get a pedicure and grabbed the bright glittery red 'Sarah' shade to jazz up my piggies.
The stylist at my local nail salon didn't so much as bat an eyelash at the fact that I had brought my own. In fact, as I cozied into the massage chair and thought about it, it increases the margins ever so slightly for customers to provide their own supplies. So if the nasty chemicals in salon brand polishes (OPI, Essie, etc) aren't enough reason for you to BYO three- or five-free colors, think about supporting the small business owners and low-wage workers who have to touch all manner of weird feet things, ew.
Back to the Zoya. I love the color. It's a bright, warm, pinky red with gold shimmer and glitter. Perfect for holiday, or your inner 5-year-old who loves sparkly things. Of your real 5-year-old, since Zoya doesn't have any of the 'Toxic Five' in its formula: formaldehyde, formaldehyde resin, toluene, dibutyl phthalate, and camphor.
The Zoya brush is a wee small, at least compared to my giant big toenail, but the stylist was plenty skilled to make sure the polish went on smoothly and evenly. Two coats looked great, so under the dryer I went.
Now I wasn't smart enough, when I bought the nail polish, to think about the fact that the top coat and base coat at the salon have just the same junk in them as everything else. I have read or heard somewhere something about 'shrinkage' when you use a five-free lacquer with other high-chemical polishes, so we'll see what happens over the next couple weeks of showers, slippers, the occasional workout and other general wear and tear.
Stay tuned for Part 2 of the review!
-- Jazzy
Here's how it went down. I decided to get a pedicure and grabbed the bright glittery red 'Sarah' shade to jazz up my piggies.
The stylist at my local nail salon didn't so much as bat an eyelash at the fact that I had brought my own. In fact, as I cozied into the massage chair and thought about it, it increases the margins ever so slightly for customers to provide their own supplies. So if the nasty chemicals in salon brand polishes (OPI, Essie, etc) aren't enough reason for you to BYO three- or five-free colors, think about supporting the small business owners and low-wage workers who have to touch all manner of weird feet things, ew.
Back to the Zoya. I love the color. It's a bright, warm, pinky red with gold shimmer and glitter. Perfect for holiday, or your inner 5-year-old who loves sparkly things. Of your real 5-year-old, since Zoya doesn't have any of the 'Toxic Five' in its formula: formaldehyde, formaldehyde resin, toluene, dibutyl phthalate, and camphor.
The Zoya brush is a wee small, at least compared to my giant big toenail, but the stylist was plenty skilled to make sure the polish went on smoothly and evenly. Two coats looked great, so under the dryer I went.
Now I wasn't smart enough, when I bought the nail polish, to think about the fact that the top coat and base coat at the salon have just the same junk in them as everything else. I have read or heard somewhere something about 'shrinkage' when you use a five-free lacquer with other high-chemical polishes, so we'll see what happens over the next couple weeks of showers, slippers, the occasional workout and other general wear and tear.
Stay tuned for Part 2 of the review!
-- Jazzy
No rhyme or reason
Just a quick scheduling note to let you know that I will be posting during the next 10 days, but not with any sort of regularity. If it happens, it happens, and if it doesn't, well, check back often to see if there's anything new. I expect it to be a slow news period, which means we'll get to have some fun with more product reviews and About Face features.
Best,
Jazzy
Best,
Jazzy
Friday, December 20, 2013
Holiday blogging
This post actually has nothing to do with chemicals, or cosmetics, or anything...
This commercial wrecks me every time. I especially love how disheveled everyone is, puffy-eyed, tear-streaked faces, bed head, all of it.
So whatever you celebrate, however you do it, with whomever your loved ones are, enjoy it to the fullest.
With hope and peace and love and trust, happy, Happy Holidays to everyone!
-- Jazzy
This commercial wrecks me every time. I especially love how disheveled everyone is, puffy-eyed, tear-streaked faces, bed head, all of it.
So whatever you celebrate, however you do it, with whomever your loved ones are, enjoy it to the fullest.
With hope and peace and love and trust, happy, Happy Holidays to everyone!
-- Jazzy
Tuesday, December 17, 2013
Smell ya lata, Triclosan
Big news this week...that sleeping giant the FDA is finally lumbering closer to a decision that would reduce the use of triclosan -- which most commonly appears in hand soap and some toothpaste but also in many products carrying the Microban label.
Tons of coverage from all the major news outlets, because there's just so much great drama to be had here. Chemical danger lurking in your bathroom! Industry shakeups! The FDA's official announcement is here; NBCnews.com's story here, the New York Times' coverage is here, and even Forbes weighed in here.
Echoing the growing sentiment among scientists, physicians and environmentalists that triclosan does more harm than good, the FDA on Monday proposed a new rule that gives manufacturers the burden of proof to show that triclosan and its antibacterial cousins are safe and effective.
It's an interesting plan. Instead of saying one way or another whether or not antibacterial chemicals should be appearing in the vast majority of everyday household products, the government is instead taking the stance of being a big pain in the a$$ to manufacturers. If the rule passes -- some time in 2016 -- the FDA still will not actually be regulating the chemical. Companies which cannot over the course of the next year provide data proving safety and effectiveness of antibacterials will have to stop using the chemicals in their products.
Nothing comes off store shelves. No bans. Just a bunch of big, big corporations with their feathers ruffled because somebody's asked them to make safer products. By comparison, Canada has declared triclosan outright toxic. 'Nuff said.
The link for submitting public comments on the proposed rule is here. Note how difficult and convoluted they make for consumers to get involved. It may very well take all 180 days for me to figure out how to submit an actual comment.
I urge you to look through the news coverage, read up on the issue, and raise your voice. It's taken the FDA too many decades to act, but consumers can do what they do best -- make some noise -- every day.
Yours in cleaner living,
Jazzy
Tons of coverage from all the major news outlets, because there's just so much great drama to be had here. Chemical danger lurking in your bathroom! Industry shakeups! The FDA's official announcement is here; NBCnews.com's story here, the New York Times' coverage is here, and even Forbes weighed in here.
Echoing the growing sentiment among scientists, physicians and environmentalists that triclosan does more harm than good, the FDA on Monday proposed a new rule that gives manufacturers the burden of proof to show that triclosan and its antibacterial cousins are safe and effective.
It's an interesting plan. Instead of saying one way or another whether or not antibacterial chemicals should be appearing in the vast majority of everyday household products, the government is instead taking the stance of being a big pain in the a$$ to manufacturers. If the rule passes -- some time in 2016 -- the FDA still will not actually be regulating the chemical. Companies which cannot over the course of the next year provide data proving safety and effectiveness of antibacterials will have to stop using the chemicals in their products.
Nothing comes off store shelves. No bans. Just a bunch of big, big corporations with their feathers ruffled because somebody's asked them to make safer products. By comparison, Canada has declared triclosan outright toxic. 'Nuff said.
The link for submitting public comments on the proposed rule is here. Note how difficult and convoluted they make for consumers to get involved. It may very well take all 180 days for me to figure out how to submit an actual comment.
I urge you to look through the news coverage, read up on the issue, and raise your voice. It's taken the FDA too many decades to act, but consumers can do what they do best -- make some noise -- every day.
Yours in cleaner living,
Jazzy
Friday, December 13, 2013
Happy Friday!
It's Friday! Holiday crunch time. I'm working on a couple product reviews, but they're taking a while because I want proper before/after photos and I'm a loser who can't manage to carve out the time I need to do it right.
In the meantime, I leave you with this look at the toxics lurking in your holiday decorations. Read it first, THEN decide how much you hate me. And for the record, it's not easy, being this much of a Scrooge. But I do it with love.
Happy weekend,
Jazzy
In the meantime, I leave you with this look at the toxics lurking in your holiday decorations. Read it first, THEN decide how much you hate me. And for the record, it's not easy, being this much of a Scrooge. But I do it with love.
Happy weekend,
Jazzy
Wednesday, December 11, 2013
Thank you, universe
Sometimes the universe brings you gifts that are just too good, you know?
Gisele Bundchen showed up in my FB news feed twice yesterday. This photo was one of them:
Where to begin...there's a lot to hate on here, since the whole thing reeks of privilege and narcissism. I'm not going to help matters, but what I'm concerned with has nothing to do with Gisele's perfect hair, flawless beauty or impossible figure.
It has to do with the baby.
If memory serves, that's baby Vivian. How old is she now? It looks like she might be nursing, but we don't know for sure. Doesn't matter. What does matter is that this baby has been caught in the middle of a very, very toxic publicity stunt, literally at the hands of her mother.
Maybe the aesthetician isn't really painting Gisele's nails. Maybe the hair stylists had already done Gisele's hair, and the whole thing is just a staged look at how the mega rich multitask (the lighting is what's tipping me off, plus the fact that there just happened to be a photographer hanging around with the beauty squad). But the message behind the imagery doesn't change, does it?
Mrs. Brady got a lot of praise and support in the comments attached to the photo. I didn't read all 3,000+ comments, but for the sake of the argument let's guess that the point of this photo is to show how hands-on she is as a parent, how she doesn't let her globe trotting life/career interfere with parenting. Ok. But you want me to believe that someone with the resources to have a 'beauty squad' doesn't also have the resources to know what the chemicals in nail polish and hair products are doing to her infant?
Did we not just yesterday visit a pretty thorough piece about the effects of common household chemicals on the neurodevelopment of children? Click here to see it again.
Whether you agree or not, a photo like this has far-reaching implications. Just skim through the comments to see for yourself. Many, many women thanking Gisele for being not just a model, but a role model. Folks would be singing a very different tune (and bearing torches and pitchforks) if there was a cigarette somewhere in that scene. But no one seems to mind that little Viv has no choice but to breath in all the nasty fumes from the nail and hair products that the beauty squad is yielding. Last time I checked, that wasn't good parenting.
-- Jazzy
Did we not just yesterday visit a pretty thorough piece about the effects of common household chemicals on the neurodevelopment of children? Click here to see it again.
Whether you agree or not, a photo like this has far-reaching implications. Just skim through the comments to see for yourself. Many, many women thanking Gisele for being not just a model, but a role model. Folks would be singing a very different tune (and bearing torches and pitchforks) if there was a cigarette somewhere in that scene. But no one seems to mind that little Viv has no choice but to breath in all the nasty fumes from the nail and hair products that the beauty squad is yielding. Last time I checked, that wasn't good parenting.
-- Jazzy
Tuesday, December 10, 2013
Going straight to your head
Who remembers this one?
I've totally dated myself there, haven't I? No matter. It was a compelling public service announcement back then (poor grammar aside), and it still is today.
This is drugs.
This is your brain on drugs.
Any questions?
But this post isn't about drugs. Or maybe it is? Over the weekend Mother Jones ran this piece, originally published before Thanksgiving at OnEarth, that explores the link between environmental pollutants, toxins and the such and pediatric neurological development.
The short of it is that a physician at Columbia and her team of researchers have found higher levels of neuro disabilities in children with higher exposures to a number of commonly-used chemicals. These range from pesticides, flame retardants, the chemicals in exhaust fumes, and more.
Dr. Federica Perera has been spearheading the 'Mothers and Children Study' which has followed the lives and health of hundreds of women and their children since 1998. The prospective study provides an invaluable amount of hard data regarding how chemicals cross the placenta, once thought to be nearly impenetrable, and what they then do to fetal development.
I'm not going to comb through every finer point of the article; you can read it yourself to see how researchers are seeing correlations between exposures and developmental problems like lower IQ scores, behavior issues and what the author calls neurodevelopment disabilities (ADHD, etc).
What I like about the piece is the growing momentum for the science behind the ideas. Industry is doing their best to refute studies and research claims, but at some point consumers will see it for what it is: smoke and mirrors. Who do you trust, the pediatrician who treats your child or the company that puts profit ahead of public health?
Look, I'm not trying to ruin your Tuesday. But this sh*t is real.
I know what I'm NOT having for lunch.
-- Jazzy
I've totally dated myself there, haven't I? No matter. It was a compelling public service announcement back then (poor grammar aside), and it still is today.
This is drugs.
This is your brain on drugs.
Any questions?
But this post isn't about drugs. Or maybe it is? Over the weekend Mother Jones ran this piece, originally published before Thanksgiving at OnEarth, that explores the link between environmental pollutants, toxins and the such and pediatric neurological development.
The short of it is that a physician at Columbia and her team of researchers have found higher levels of neuro disabilities in children with higher exposures to a number of commonly-used chemicals. These range from pesticides, flame retardants, the chemicals in exhaust fumes, and more.
Dr. Federica Perera has been spearheading the 'Mothers and Children Study' which has followed the lives and health of hundreds of women and their children since 1998. The prospective study provides an invaluable amount of hard data regarding how chemicals cross the placenta, once thought to be nearly impenetrable, and what they then do to fetal development.
I'm not going to comb through every finer point of the article; you can read it yourself to see how researchers are seeing correlations between exposures and developmental problems like lower IQ scores, behavior issues and what the author calls neurodevelopment disabilities (ADHD, etc).
What I like about the piece is the growing momentum for the science behind the ideas. Industry is doing their best to refute studies and research claims, but at some point consumers will see it for what it is: smoke and mirrors. Who do you trust, the pediatrician who treats your child or the company that puts profit ahead of public health?
Look, I'm not trying to ruin your Tuesday. But this sh*t is real.
"Although levels of PBDEs (flame retardants) are now dropping in pregnant women, Americans still have the highest levels tested anywhere in the world. Flammability standards enacted in California in the 1970s resulted in the addition of PBDEs to everything from electronics to home furnishings nationwide. Unfortunately, the molecules easily migrate, accumulating in blood and breast milk and persisting for years."Read the article. Think about what your brain, your kids brains, look like from just everyday living. Maybe they're not getting fried, but is a slow poaching any better? The end result is the same, no?
I know what I'm NOT having for lunch.
-- Jazzy
Monday, December 9, 2013
Sales Flash
Not to be confused with 'flash sale', that thing where retailers have a sale that lasts just a few hours, driving demand by limiting customers' opportunity for a discount.
No, this is just a good old fashioned promotion, but a good one that I had to share. Last month I wrote a post about nail polish, and through my subsequent research read a lot about Zoya. The brand is quickly becoming one of the best-known "Five Free" lines, along with SpaRitual, meaning the lacquers do not contain the uber toxic ingredients of formaldehyde, formaldehyde resin, toluene, dibutyl phthalate, and camphor.
So lucky us; Ulta is running a Buy-2-get-1-free promotion on Zoya and SpaRitual polish. Fist pump!
My local Ulta had a great selection on colors, including the current holiday shades. I picked up three bottles of Zoya polish: Erikka, a light shimmery pink; Sarah, a glittery cranberry red; and Payton, a deep glittery purple. I can't wait to try one (or all) of these out, and you know that means a product review won't be far behind!
I've always loved the clever and witty names that OPI gives its colors, but now that I know about all those chemicals I'm so breaking up with salon brands. You can, too, if you get butt over to your nearest Ulta. Grab up some colors to go with all those great holiday outfits you'll be rocking in the next few weeks, or give them out as stocking stuffers.
-- Jazzy
No, this is just a good old fashioned promotion, but a good one that I had to share. Last month I wrote a post about nail polish, and through my subsequent research read a lot about Zoya. The brand is quickly becoming one of the best-known "Five Free" lines, along with SpaRitual, meaning the lacquers do not contain the uber toxic ingredients of formaldehyde, formaldehyde resin, toluene, dibutyl phthalate, and camphor.
So lucky us; Ulta is running a Buy-2-get-1-free promotion on Zoya and SpaRitual polish. Fist pump!
My local Ulta had a great selection on colors, including the current holiday shades. I picked up three bottles of Zoya polish: Erikka, a light shimmery pink; Sarah, a glittery cranberry red; and Payton, a deep glittery purple. I can't wait to try one (or all) of these out, and you know that means a product review won't be far behind!
I've always loved the clever and witty names that OPI gives its colors, but now that I know about all those chemicals I'm so breaking up with salon brands. You can, too, if you get butt over to your nearest Ulta. Grab up some colors to go with all those great holiday outfits you'll be rocking in the next few weeks, or give them out as stocking stuffers.
-- Jazzy
Nasopharyngitis
The common cold. There's irony in the street name of a virus that changes every time it infects a new host, but it's 4 am and I'm too congested/tired to form any type of witty quip about it.
In any event, that's what kept me away from SMACK! last week. Hardly an excuse, but the last time I was sick I ended up with pneumonia and a cancer diagnosis. Yikes. You are all champs for understanding that sometimes there's just not enough left after dragging yourself through the day.
So this is me acknowledging my deadbeat stature, thanking you (again) for being patient and awesome, and trying to get back into the swing of things. Posts might be spotty this week, but at least you'll hear from me! And who knows, maybe I'll actually get the upper hand on this thing and get a decent night's sleep...
In sickness and -- hopefully, soon -- health,
Jazzy
Monday, December 2, 2013
Back to it
How was your Thanksgiving holiday? We had a really nice day, great company, delicious food. I avoided retail as best I could, running out only for toilet paper and a last-minute gift for the in-laws.
It was a slow weekend. Did you watch Toxic Hot Seat? Let me know your thoughts. Me, I'm squashing the urge to ditch all the toxic comforts of modern living. Seriously, if I could find a cave somewhere that had wi-fi, I'd be all over it.
I did find this great piece over at HuffPo Canada, dispelling some of the shadier claims about 'natural' bath and personal care products marketed to babies and children. My favorite are the ones that boast "98% natural ingredients." Great, really. But it's the other 2% that I'm concerned about. The ingredients that AREN'T naturally derived (and even the ones that are can be suspect).
Read the piece, share it on your Twitter or FB feed, spread the word to your friends that they need to PAY ATTENTION to labels, marketing claims and ingredients. It's basically meaningless to call something 'natural' or even 'organic' since many natural compounds can be harmful in their own ways. And, to quote the esteemed Alistair Moody, "Stay vigilant!"
Happy Monday,
-- Jazzy
It was a slow weekend. Did you watch Toxic Hot Seat? Let me know your thoughts. Me, I'm squashing the urge to ditch all the toxic comforts of modern living. Seriously, if I could find a cave somewhere that had wi-fi, I'd be all over it.
I did find this great piece over at HuffPo Canada, dispelling some of the shadier claims about 'natural' bath and personal care products marketed to babies and children. My favorite are the ones that boast "98% natural ingredients." Great, really. But it's the other 2% that I'm concerned about. The ingredients that AREN'T naturally derived (and even the ones that are can be suspect).
Read the piece, share it on your Twitter or FB feed, spread the word to your friends that they need to PAY ATTENTION to labels, marketing claims and ingredients. It's basically meaningless to call something 'natural' or even 'organic' since many natural compounds can be harmful in their own ways. And, to quote the esteemed Alistair Moody, "Stay vigilant!"
Happy Monday,
-- Jazzy
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