Art and beauty through my eyes

Say NO to ACTA

2012-01-29T18:13:00.000+01:00

Do not fly with Vueling Airlines

2011-11-22T11:21:00.001+01:00

As with the poor service, unability to refund money for a cancelled (by them) reservation, giving ridiculous excuses over an over, I am giving the shame to them right here as that it what this airline deserves. And as I have read many negative opinions on them over the internet (unfortunately too late), all I can say is, do not fly with Vueling Airlines.

The bamboo fiber controversy

2011-11-21T20:40:00.001+01:00

I've come across this interesting article about bamboo fibers and the how they are made and I want to share. You can read it here.
It's a blog dedicated to organic clothing.

Welcome to Madrid. Part 2

2011-11-18T15:50:00.000+01:00

Welcome to Madrid. Part 2: Cannabis is a common house plant.

Happy bushes...

And a not so happy one...

There are many myths and misconceptions believed about Cannabis. In fact, Cannabis has 3 main species, and not every Cannabis crop serves drug production.

Cannabis grown for hemp is one of the greatest crops ever known. It has thousands and thousands of uses.

Read some truth about Cannabis here or here. Interesting stuff.

The 'Welcome to Madrid' is a series of things I observe as a foreigner in Madrid. Enjoy.

Random fun stuff: Big Bang

2011-11-12T17:55:00.001+01:00

REVIEW: Bubble & Bee Organic Shampoo

2011-10-14T13:53:00.000+02:00

Bubble & Bee makes (USDA certified) organic face and body care products. They are based in Utah, US and their website only offers shipping to US, but in fact, they will ship intl', just contact them. I am not in any way affiliated with B&B, I bought the products myself and I'm writing this review just because I like the products and want to share my opinion.

They have two shampoos in range - Organic Lemon Shampoo and Organic Peppermint & Tea Tree Shampoo. I've tried both and I love them both! Here's why.

The most interesting thing is, what they are made from, and how you use them.

Ingredients of Organic Lemon Shampoo:

Saponified organic oils of coconut, olive & jojoba, organic lemon essential oil, vegetable glycerin, guar gum, sweet almond oil, organic jojoba oil, rosemary extract.

Ingredients of Organic Peppermint & Tea Tree Shampoo:

Saponified oils of organic coconut, olive, and jojoba, vegetable glycerin, organic sweet almond oil, organic macadamia nut oil, organic jojoba oil, organic peppermint essential oil, organic tea tree essential oil, organic spearmint essential oil, guar gum, rosemary extract.

Yes, no sulphates and no water! But they are liquid though and look like any shampoo.

They have nice honey yellow color and lovely subtle scent.

How to use them:

Please read the instructions and advice on the website. It's pretty much like using common shampoo with few differences. You DON'T need a conditioner afterwards, only the vinegar rinse.

How I use them:

First I rinse my hair with the baking soda (Sodium Bicarbonate) + water rinse (1/2 tsp baking soda and 500ml/16oz water in a bottle), which I pour on my hair before the shampoo. This step helps if you have "hard" water, as we do. Otherwise skip this step.

Then I shampoo the common way, you don't need a lot since it's concentrated and not diluted with water.

Then I rinse with water, then with the vinegar rinse (use the rinse bottle coming free with the shampoo OR use 3 or 4 tbsp of organic apple cider vinegar + 500ml/16oz water in a bottle) and again with water.

The results:

My hair after the wash. Dried naturally, no styling.
I've been using it for about 2 weeks.

Shinier and softer hair. Less fly-aways and frizz. Of course, you will see the change better as the hair will grow new, shiny and healthy without harsh chemicals.
It also washes things like hair spray with no problem.

PROS:

+ Natural and organic ingredients

+ Contains no water, concentrated product

+ Makes tons of lather

+ Smells nice

+ You don't need a conditioner
+ The product comes sealed

CONS:

- pricier for a bottle, but will last very very long

Last two things I learned:

1. If you use this shampoo and it doesn't lather well, and once your hair is dry, it appears limp and oily, you probably have hard water and need the baking soda rinse before shampooing.

2. I don't suggest using coconut oil or other oils as a treatments on full hair, as you would normally use before wash. Because this shampoo already contains nourishing oils, you don't need it and you can't wash the heavy oil out with this shampoo, as I learned the hard way. But applying just a bit of oil or butter at the drier ends after washing, is fine.

Rating: 5/5

Daily prayer

2011-10-11T15:16:00.000+02:00

My daily prayer

Occupy Wall St Revolution

2011-09-18T16:43:00.001+02:00

Protesters gather in New York's financial hub for demonstration against the corporate dominance and greed. Blackout by the mainstream media, censored popular searches by Twitter.

Occupy Wall Street is leaderless resistance movement with people of many colors, genders and political persuasions. The one thing we all have in common is that We Are The 99% that will no longer tolerate the greed and corruption of the 1%.

Follow this peaceful movement all around internet and join if you can. Let's share and be heard!

https://occupywallst.org/

Join the event on Facebook

https://twitter.com/#!/OccupyWallSt

Live stream here

It's time for DEMOCRACY NOT CORPORATOCRACY.

Share !

13 Everyday Habits That Are Giving You Acne

2011-09-17T04:06:00.003+02:00

Helpful info here:
http://www.totalbeauty.com/content/gallery/13-habits-for-zits/p92642/page2

Welcome to Madrid. Part 1

2011-09-17T02:44:00.003+02:00

Have you seen this image before?

If not, then look at it well and think. I've seen it around Madrid a lot lately. Stickers on the street walls, lamps, and anywhere outdoors, people carry laptops with the stickers on it. People in Spain really feel and share the attitude of revolution. The peaceful way. I'm glad.

The 'Welcome to Madrid' is a series of things I observe as a foreigner in Madrid. Enjoy.

Lolcat of the day: Simon's Cat: Beyond the Fence

2011-09-03T22:15:00.001+02:00

This kind of stuff always makes my day. Spending a day not giving a sh*t about what doesn't matter, makes life a little ~~less miserable~~ more beautiful.

My favorite organic lip balms

2011-08-24T15:42:00.017+02:00

These are my fave lip balm brands so far:
Silk Naturals
Bubble & Bee Organic
Alverde

A short review:
All of them are smooth and creamy and they all moisturize perfectly (I use a lip balm like 3 times a day). Alverde is more waxy than the other two. They get softer in strong heat, but don't melt. I store them in fridge anyway when it's over 30C / 86F and they don't harden too much and get applied smoothly (unlike the Lotion Stick that B&B makes which is like giant lip balm - that stays waxy and hard all the time, even in over 39C / 102F heat).

Both SN and B&B make sweetened and unsweetened lip balms, but I prefer unsweetened. Sweet lip stuff feels like I'm eating some candy. Although I adore and can't resist sweets, I try to avoid them as much as possible. The yummy fruity or minty scent though is something I don't mind at all, as far as it's made from essential oils.

Alverde lip balm is a bit bigger and holds more products than the other two.
B&B and SN lip balms come sealed and Alverde lip balm comes in paper packaging.
B&B and SN have impressive ingredients lists and I will keep buying them. It would be even more impressive if they were vegan, but organic beeswax is acceptable to me.

Silk Naturals Refreshing Herb Organic Lip Balm

Ingredients: Olive*, Castor*, Jojoba*, & Avocado Oils, Beeswax*, Candelilla Wax*, Hemp & Cranberry Oils, Carnuaba Wax*, Essential Oils of Fennel, Peppermint, Lemon, Rosemary, Basil. *=Certified Organic

http://host.silknaturals.com/creb/refreshing-herb-organic-balm-p-1164.html
- claimed over 90% organic, but no certificate presented
- price $3.75 or free with orders over $30.

Bubble and Bee Organic Rude Raspberry Lip Balm

Ingredients: Organic sunflower oil, organic cocoa butter, organic beeswax, organic raspberry extract, organic vanilla extract, organic lemon essential oil, stevia.

http://www.bubbleandbee.com/servlet/the-209/%22Rude%22-Raspberry-Certified-Organic/Detail
- certified organic by USDA

- price $4.

Alverde Calendula Lip Balm (Lippen-Balsam)

Ingredients: Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Hydrogenated Coco Glycerides, Euphorbia Cerifera (Candelilla) Wax, Cera Alba (Beeswax), Copernica Cerifera (Carnauba) Wax, Triticum Vulgare (Wheat) Germ Oil, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract*, Magnesium Stearate, Aroma (Flavour)**, Linalool**, Benzyl Benzoate**, Tocopherol.
* Ingredients from certified organic agriculture
** From natural essential oils
- certified organic by BDIH

- available at "dm" stores in few European countries
- price around or less than 2€.

All 3 together

I definitely recommend trying them! Not just these showed here, try any other scent these brands carry! I enjoyed all I have tried.

The controversy of Alum in Crystal deodorants

2011-08-19T17:08:00.001+02:00

I want to share this helpful info by Stephanie Greenwood (founder of Bubble & Bee Organic).
I've been using Crystal Deodorant for some time now, and this came interesting to me.

Read here:
http://chemicaloftheday.squarespace.com/most-controversial/2010/1/21/aluminum-in-crystal-deodorant-stones.html

And some more here:
http://chemicaloftheday.squarespace.com/most-controversial/2010/3/8/exposing-more-truths-about-alum.html

Random cool stuff: "Dog Doogity" music video

2011-07-25T17:54:00.007+02:00

Rhythm, great voice and a thought. And a bit fun. Performed by Martin Luther.
Enjoy

Random cool stuff: Change your suit for t-shirts and sandals

2011-07-14T15:03:00.003+02:00

This one is COOL literally.

In Japan, the government has launched its “Super Cool Biz” campaign to encourage businesses and executives to curb their high-cost air conditioning use.
The campaign encourages professionals to save electricity by wearing Hawaiian shirts, T-shirts and sandals to work instead of the usual stuffy three-piece suits. No AC needed - brilliant idea in my opinion. Seeing people in heavy suits in hot summer is just ridiculous to me. Suits are a must to certain jobs, but come on, it's just clothes. Clothes have a function of covering (and warming in winter) function.
Do the clothes serve you, or do you serve them?! Most guys hate suits anyway, especially the tie.
Get something lighter comfortable on, and leave the thick (and expensive!) suits out. So worthy to save energy too, awesome! Japan gives a great example to the world of fashion.

We Are All Habiba

2011-07-10T15:00:00.003+02:00

We Are All Habiba - a recent story of a mother and toddler daughter separated and struggled because of our society's disapproval of the mother's attachment parenting practices. How sad our society under-appreciate the importance of real mother care.

http://mothering.com/all-things-mothering/uncategorized/we-are-all-habiba#.ThmiNsd_lv8.blogger

Random cool stuff: Glass jar photo frames

2011-06-25T18:15:00.002+02:00

SWATCHES: Brow powders comparison - for dark brunettes

2011-06-16T01:56:00.009+02:00

Here I compare swatches of:

Silk Naturals Brow Powders in Light Brunette, Medium Ash and Deep Brunette,
Silk Naturals Eye shadow in Basalt,
Joppa Eye shadow / liner in Espresso,
NYX Single Eye shadow in Charcoal Brown (ES 36A)

Photos taken in natural daylight. My skin is light with yellow - olive undertone.

All together:

Truth seeking: Burzynski The Movie - Cancer Is Serious Business

2011-06-15T22:08:00.005+02:00

This movie is MUST SEE documentary, please share and spread the word and let every sufferer of cancer and side effects see this. You can watch it on the website http://www.burzynskimovie.com/ for free till June 20, 2011 or buy the DVD.

Please care for the truth and the health of your family and families of others!

Burzynski, the Movie is the (AMAZING!) story of a medical doctor and Ph.D biochemist named Dr. Stanislaw Burzynski who won the largest, and possibly the most convoluted and intriguing legal battle against the Food & Drug Administration in American history.

His victorious battles with the United States government were centered around Dr. Burzynski's gene-targeted cancer medicines he discovered in the 1970's called Antineoplastons, which have currently completed Phase II FDA-supervised clinical trials in 2009 and could begin the final phase of FDA testing in 2011–barring the ability to raise the required $150 million to fund the final phase of FDA clinical trials.

When Antineoplastons are approved, it will mark the first time in history a single scientist, not a pharmaceutical company, will hold the exclusive patent and distribution rights on a paradigm-shifting medical breakthrough.

Antineoplastons are responsible for curing some of the most incurable forms of terminal cancer. Various cancer survivors are presented in the film who chose these medicines instead of surgery, chemotherapy or radiation - with full disclosure of medical records to support their diagnosis and recovery - as well as systematic (non-anecdotal) FDA-supervised clinical trial data comparing Antineoplastons to other available treatments—which is published within the peer-reviewed medical literature.

One form of cancer - diffuse, intrinsic, childhood brainstem glioma has never before been cured in any scientifically controlled clinical trial in the history of medicine. Antineoplastons hold the first cures in history - dozens of them.
This documentary takes the audience through the treacherous, yet victorious, 14-year journey both Dr. Burzynski and his patients have had to endure in order to obtain FDA-approved clinical trials of Antineoplastons.

Dr. Burzynski resides and practices medicine in Houston, Texas. He was able to initially produce and administer his discovery without FDA-approval from 1977-1995 because the state of Texas at this time did not require that Texas physicians be required to adhere to Federal law in this situation. This law has since been changed.

As with anything that changes current-day paradigms, Burzynski's ability to successfully treat incurable cancer with such consistency has baffled the industry. Ironically, this fact had prompted numerous investigations by the Texas Medical Board, who relentlessly took Dr. Burzynski as high as the state supreme court in their failed attempt to halt his practices.

Likewise, the Food and Drug Administration engaged in four Federal Grand Juries spanning over a decade attempting to indict Dr. Burzynski, all of which ended in no finding of fault on his behalf. Finally, Dr. Burzynski was indicted in their 5th Grand Jury in 1995, resulting in two federal trials and two sets of jurors finding him not guilty of any wrongdoing. If convicted, Dr. Burzynski would have faced a maximum of 290 years in a federal prison and $18.5 million in fines.

However, what was revealed a few years after Dr. Burzynski won his freedom, helps to paint a more coherent picture regarding the true motivation of the United States government's relentless persecution of Stanislaw Burzynski, M.D., Ph.D.

Note: When Antineoplastons are approved for pubic use, it will allow a single scientist to hold an exclusive license to manufacture and sell these medicines on the open market—before they become generic—leaving PhRMA absent in profiting from the most effective gene-targeted cancer treatment the world has ever seen.

Source: http://www.burzynskimovie.com/

I also recommed reading Dr. Mercola's view and notes of this movie here.

Random lovely thing: The beauty of life lived in truth and compassion

2011-06-12T03:01:00.003+02:00

Two Wolves - A Cherokee Parable

An old Cherokee chief was teaching his grandson about life...

"A fight is going on inside me," he said to the boy.
"It is a terrible fight and it is between two wolves.

"One is evil - he is anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, self-doubt, and ego.

"The other is good - he is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion, and faith.

"This same fight is going on inside you - and inside every other person, too."

The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather,
"Which wolf will win?"

The old chief simply replied,
"The one you feed."
~Author Unknown

The soy news

2011-05-24T19:33:00.004+02:00

I recently learned that only fermented soy products are healthy. So all the non fermented, including tofu, may be in fact damaging your health. Examples of the healthy fermented soy products are:

Tempeh, a fermented soybean cake with a firm texture and nutty, mushroom-like flavor.
Miso, a fermented soybean paste with a salty, buttery texture (commonly used in miso soup).
Natto, fermented soybeans with a sticky texture and strong, cheese-like flavor.
Soy sauce, which is traditionally made by fermenting soybeans, salt and enzymes; be wary because many varieties on the market today are made artificially using a chemical process.

And with all the GMOs (genetically modified and engineered nonsense) crops, be sure to only get the ORGANIC /BIO products! (my personal note)

Read more in the article by Dr.Mercola : http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2011/02/19/the-dirty-little-secret-hidden-in-much-of-your-health-food.aspx

SWATCHES: Silk Naturals lippies and blush

2011-05-06T17:35:00.007+02:00

Silk Naturals liquid lip gloss Ambrosia,
Silk Naturals Kisser Slicker Maiden,
Silk Naturals lipstick Cayenne
Silk Naturals blush Diablo

(My skin is light with yellow and olive undertone)

Maiden is very close to my natural lip color, but it makes them darker (which I don't like - I'm still in search of a paler nude)

Some lip swatches of Ambrosia lip gloss:

(click to enlarge)

SWATCHES: Joppa Minerals

2011-05-06T03:52:00.012+02:00

These are Joppa eye shadows and blushes, from Jennifae's giveaway.

Eye Shadows:

ESPRESSO is perfect for my brows, love it!

TRANQUILITY is poorly pigmented and the chunky sparkles like to jump around (needs sticky base or foiling), but DUSK is quite amazing - reminds me of city lights after sunset....

Blushes:

in direct sunlight - you can see few sparkles in the close-up, but they are basically matte

SWATCHES: some more neutral taupe

2011-05-06T03:43:00.002+02:00

Comparing:

NYX single eye shadow - True Taupe

Meow Cosmetics eye shadow - Sex Object

NYX single eye shadow - Slate

Silk Naturals - Satin (not quite taupe but I added it for comparison)

and in the last photo I added Silk Naturals eye shadow - Mousse

Truth seeking: B. Laden probably is a lie

2011-05-04T22:26:00.005+02:00

No unretouched photos, no trial, no real evidence. Only fake news and govt lies. Can't really believe B. Laden (or Ladin) ever existed and US army killed him and don't want to publish any evidence. Funny.
Americans celebrating that US army killed him? Seriously? So it's not only US govt that likes wars and killing, it's the people too. Sad.
9/11 attack's responsibility to B. Laden and terrorist groups? Open your eyes!
If The USA govt and the big corporations wouldn't be so greedy and wanting to own everything and trying to rule over the world, there would be no terrorism.

With all respect, I'm proud to be non-American.

Last chance to save herbal medicine in EU! Please share!

2011-04-29T15:57:00.000+02:00

In 2 days, the EU will ban much of herbal medicine, pressing more of us to take pharmaceutical drugs that drive the profits of big Pharma.

The EU Directive erects high barriers to any herbal remedy that hasn't been on the market for 30 years -- including virtually all Chinese, Ayurvedic, and African traditional medicine. It's a draconian move that helps drug companies and ignores thousands of years of medical knowledge.

We need a massive outcry against this. Together, our voices can press the EU Commission to fix the directive, push our national governments to refuse to implement it, and give legitimacy to a legal case before the courts. Sign below, forward this email to everyone, and let's get to 1 million voices to save herbal medicine:

http://www.avaaz.org/en/eu_herbal_medicine_ban/97.php?cl_tta_sign=59adf9b6e8993a5a57398cb2e21fd8d0

It's hard to believe, but if a child is sick, and there is a safe and natural herbal remedy for that illness, it may be impossible to find that remedy.

On May 1st the Directive will create major barriers to manufactured herbal remedies, requiring enormous costs, years of effort, and endless expert processes to get each and every product approved. Pharmaceutical companies have the resources to jump through these hoops but hundreds of small- and medium-sized herbal medicine businesses, across Europe and worldwide, will go bust.

We can stop this. The directive has been passed in the shadows of the bureaucracy, and it cannot stand under the light of democratic scrutiny. The EU Commission can withdraw or amend it, and a court case is currently challenging it to do so. If European citizens everywhere come together now, it will give legitimacy to the legal case, and add to growing pressure on the Commission. Sign below, and forward this email to everyone:

http://www.avaaz.org/en/eu_herbal_medicine_ban/97.php?cl_tta_sign=59adf9b6e8993a5a57398cb2e21fd8d0

There are arguments for better regulation of natural medicine, but this draconian directive harms the ability of Europeans to make safe and healthy choices. Let's stand up for our health, and our right to choose safe herbal medicine.

SOURCES:

EU herbal medicines law set for legal challenge:
http://www.euractiv.com/en/health/eu-herbal-medicines-law-set-legal-challenge-news-503563

European Union directive to ban natural remedies in favor of pharmaceuticals:
http://www.allvoices.com/contributed-news/8826364-european-union-directive-to-ban-natural-remedies-in-favor-of-pharmaceuticals

Traditional Chinese medicine firms may face delisting in EU market:
http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/90001/90776/90883/7343301.html

EU crackdown on herbal 'remedies':
http://www.independent.ie/national-news/eu-crackdown-on-herbal-remedies-2628345.html

(Text copied from the e-mail I have been sent after signing the petition)

The Greater Good - Movie Trailer

2011-03-27T13:01:00.004+02:00

New upcoming movie on the vaccine topic.

Random cool stuff: Shoe types

2011-03-26T21:45:00.001+01:00

Random Cool stuff: How to transform your hoodie into a laptop carry-on bag

2011-03-26T18:16:00.002+01:00

I tried it....and I can say you need either a big hoodie or a smaller laptop, to do this lol

Truth seeking: Farrakhan warns, advises Obama on Libya

2011-03-26T12:07:00.000+01:00

Random cool stuff: TMB Panyee FC - impressive football club story

2011-03-24T14:31:00.003+01:00

SWATCHES: OCC Lip Tars

2011-03-18T02:45:00.005+01:00

Lip Tar by Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics: Interlace (new shade - Spring 2011), Hush, Grandma.

It's not really visible, but I'm wearing matching color nail polish to the Grandma,

called "67 JUST SHOUT!" by Essence (hot coral color)... :)

Lolcat of the day: Life is like...

2011-03-12T01:32:00.001+01:00

TRUTH SEEKING: John Virapen on the drug industry (4 part video)

2011-03-11T01:33:00.007+01:00

1/4

2/4

3/4

4/4

SWATCHES: Silk Naturals blushes

2011-02-27T21:17:00.003+01:00

Silk Naturals blushes - Petal, Poppy, Flare, Tart, Cider

Taken in a daylight. My skin is light with golden (yellow) and olive (green) undertones.

in direct sunlight

This last one was taken indoors with flash:

Random cool stuff: Cat-Library™

2011-02-26T23:31:00.002+01:00

SWATCHES: Mineral bronzers and some more brown stuff

2011-02-26T00:53:00.014+01:00

What we got here:

Silk Naturals Cider (blush)

Silk Naturals Mousse (eyeshadow)

Silk Naturals Eu-taupe-ia (eye shadow)

Lucy Minerals Glow (blush)

Silk Naturals Beach Bunny (bronzer)

Silk Naturals Tahiti Sweetie (bronzer)

All photos were taken in daylight. Swatches are done on bare hand (no base).

Mousse and Eu-taupe-ia look almost the same in real life...
more comparison later in this post

Tahiti Sweetie is my favorite matte bronzer right now...
( Shouldn't it be called a "tanner" instead? )

this photo shows their lovely sheen

blended out

Mousse and Eu-taupe-ia totally look the same in the jars...

From SN website: Mousse is "matte medium chocolate" and
Eu-taup-ia is "matte medium taupe"
See their own swatch here

So I want to try to show the difference, so here are more swatches:
On bare hand again (I've tried with a base too, but got the same result because they are really pigmented)

LEFT: Mousse RIGHT: Eu-taupe-ia

So basically Eu-taupe-ia is just slightly more ashy, taupe toned brown
and kind of lighter than Mousse as well
(I love them both!)

Lucy Minerals foundation swatches UPDATE

2011-02-21T00:59:00.001+01:00

I have updated Lucy Minerals Foundation swatches here in the older post:

http://art-and-beauty-by-maggielet.blogspot.com/2010/07/lucy-minerals-mineral-foundation.html

3 new photos added with more shades:

Random cool stuff: Scariest bridge

2011-02-10T03:49:00.005+01:00

This one actually is a new one, see that ex-bridge on the right?

It's a great photography though.

Somewhere in Pakistan.

Truth seeking: Monsanto-The world's poster child for corporate manipulation and deceit

2011-02-09T03:59:00.003+01:00

Monsanto: The world's poster child for corporate manipulation and deceit
The article is so long but so good. If you care.
BUY~GROW~EAT~SUPPORT ORGANIC FOOD.
Your single choice matters.

Random cool stuff: Amazing Landing At LAX (Cockpit View)

2011-02-08T03:23:00.004+01:00

I recommend watching in HD and fullscreen. Just beautiful.

<p>&amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;br&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;r&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;gt;</p>

For a 'real time' version (14 mins) click here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wg_9kwiharY&feature=related

Is baby oil made from babies?

2011-01-25T05:47:00.002+01:00

Seriously, "baby oil" should be called OIL FOR BABY / BABIES.....
Because olive oil is made from olives and coconut oil is made from coconuts.
And oh, PURE baby oil ? What the heck lol
Anyway, this website is very good shop :)

Vykořisťování Země (Devour the Earth)

2011-01-24T02:14:00.000+01:00

Hundreds of herbal products to be outlawed across EU in early 2011

2011-01-21T03:38:00.000+01:00

Hundreds of herbal products to be outlawed across EU in early 2011

Read and sign a petition against it!
(link to petition inside the article)

THANK YOU!

Seasonal flu vaccine fairy tale rapidly collapsing as the truth comes out

2011-01-21T03:12:00.000+01:00

Seasonal flu vaccine fairy tale rapidly collapsing as the truth comes out

Why most natural disasters aren't natural at all

2011-01-21T02:50:00.001+01:00

Why most natural disasters aren't natural at all

Michael Douglas cancer cure announcement is a cruel medical hoax

2011-01-21T02:47:00.000+01:00

Michael Douglas cancer cure announcement is a cruel medical hoax

Chocolate Lovers: Help stop the bloodshed in Ivory Coast

2011-01-21T02:21:00.000+01:00

Chocolate Lovers: Help stop the bloodshed in Ivory Coast

Hershey’s Chocolate Changes Children’s Lives (but not the way you might think)

2011-01-15T01:12:00.000+01:00

Hershey’s Chocolate Changes Children’s Lives (but not the way you might think)

Random cool stuff: We are 7 Billion

2011-01-04T04:03:00.003+01:00

by NatGeo
<p>&amp;amp;lt;br&amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;nbsp;</p>

Lolcat of the day

2011-01-03T23:21:00.002+01:00

NO to infant circumcision

2010-12-27T01:46:00.003+01:00

To Not Circumcise or to Not Circumcise; There is No Question. by Mothering.com
Very informative!

Lucy Minerals foundation and Silk Naturals foundation blend

2010-12-13T00:47:00.006+01:00

For my light skin with golden/yellow and olive undertones I use this SN blend (scoop from SN) :

Olive color base - 1 scoop
White base heavy coverage - 10 scoops
Yellow corrector - 2 scoops

Before I have also used blend where I mix Buttery Gold base instead of Olive, but I lost my recipe... anyway it was close to this blend, but with less yellow added (maybe one scoop) and with a sprinkle of green (about 1/5 of a scoop).

Comparing to Lucy Minerals - Original formula foundation in Pale Olive and Creamy Olive that I normally use. All Lucy Minerals foundations have heavy coverage.

daylight, with flash

daylight, no flash

I am very impressed with this Silk Naturals foundation, covers very well, creates a smooth finish and last quite well (my skin is oily). Comparable to Lucy Minerals. These two are my faves in mineral foundation.

Searching for a contour / bronzer - Silk Naturals SWATCHES

2010-12-11T06:37:00.009+01:00

I'm trying to find the right color for contouring my light golden olive toned skin - within mineral make up.

Few swatches of what I have tried:

Silk Naturals: Mousse - matte eye shadow - neutral medium brown, kind of muddy but usable. Perfect blending necessary

Silk Naturals: Drama - blush for contouring - too red/pink (cool) toned for me

Silk Naturals: Tahiti Sweetie - bronzer - golden toned, suits me well as a bronzer, works well a contour color, but not perfect though

Notice the jars are in different order than the swatches!

in direct sunlight

daylight, no flash

The issue is, your bronzer may or may not be your contour color. Contour color should be creating a visual shade on your cheeks, and If you observe natural shade under your cheekbones, when making a kiss face under some different lighting, you may see the shade tends to be more ashy/taupe than brown. Also for some skin colors you can use the darker shade of your normal foundation as a contour color - but this one doesn't work for me - darker golden or olive shade as a contour color (I contour under cheekbones, along the jawline, and sometimes bridge of the nose) makes me look tanned or dirty on that area.

Otherwise I like Tahiti Sweetie as a bronzer - ordered a full size :)

SWATCHES: Silk Naturals blushes + comparison

2010-12-09T03:59:00.021+01:00

SN Flare blush - golden shimmery pinky peach, a clone of MAC's Hand Finish Blush (says the website)
SN Poppy blush - warm peachy coral, matte - I love this! Amazing on olive toned skin.

~ comparing to ~

Sassy Minerals' Karma blush - Warm pink coral, matte. I love this too (pinky coral lover hahah)!
NYX Peach powder blush (originally pressed)

My skin is light with golden (yellow) and olive (green) undertones.

indoors with flash

Flare and Poppy are so crazy bright in real life...

(NYX Peach transferred into jar after it got broken)

If we really love animals, do we even have any business keeping them as pets? (Great blog to read: The Kind Life)

2010-12-09T01:09:00.007+01:00

One absolutely brilliant article by the vegan celebrity Alicia Silverstone. Read here: http://www.thekindlife.com/post/keeping-pets - I totally agree with her opinion on keeping pets or not! I have never kept any pet so far, but when going veg I've been thinking about this topic for some time, as I love cats and few other animals :)

..if you’re going to open your home to a pet, it should be a rescued pet only...

...Every animal bought from a breeder or pet store represents a home taken away from another animal in a shelter, and animals facing death don’t care whether they’re in the wild or in a house, they just want to live...

If I ever adopt a cat, I'd prefer at least two of them, to have company together. I believe that's more natural and pets are much happier in multiple than single. Either to keep multiple or none at all. Not a must though, just a preference.

Alicia is promoting the Kind Life (of living vegan) and writes amazing articles. Definitely RSS read / subscribe !

.

Great blog to read: OrganicAuthority

2010-12-06T23:15:00.002+01:00

http://www.organicauthority.com - I highly recommend to follow via RSS feeds or other options available.
Not really a blog, more of an info website publishing interesting and helpful stuff to read.

Food safety, recipes, healthy tips, raising healthy kids, gardening, news. Great!

What's in Fast Food Chicken? (Hint: It’s NOT Chicken) http://www.organicauthority.com/foodie-buzz/what-is-in-fast-food-chicken-hint-its-not-chicken.html

REVIEW: The "Ultimate brushes" line - worth getting

2010-11-07T02:47:00.020+01:00

These Ultimate brushes are possible to buy from Silk Naturals, Lucy Minerals and Forever female. And probably there are more sellers. I only know about these three. Prices vary from 7.50 USD for the smaller eye brushes, to about 17 USD for kabuki at LM or SN. FF sells them for more but they have a bigger selection.

In my own experience they are the best I have in my collection. The bristles are of the highest quality, very soft on touch, yet very dense. They are surely the softest syntetic brushes and amazing for mineral make up. The Ultimate Flat Top brush is softer than the Everyday Minerals Flat Top. Anyway there's great review here by Kathy - but you'll need a translator :)

They come double packaged, besides all other wrapping...

Ultimate flat top brush, blush brush and Baby Kabuki

These two are almost same. The Blush Brush is just slightly bigger and denser than Baby Kabuki. If you want just one and can't decide, go by the handle you prefer more.

Angled Liner Brush, Angled Shadow & Liner, Concealer Brush, Blush Brush, Long Flat Top, Baby Kabuki

This is the shadow end of the Angled shadow & Liner Brush, a round shaped with angled cut. (The white fibres are from that fluffy blanket)

On left - the Liner side of the Angled Shadow & Liner (the combined one). On right - the Angled Liner brush (the single one).

On left - the Liner side of the Angled Shadow & Liner (the combined one). On right - the Angled Liner brush (the single one). So you can see the combined one is smaller but thicker. The single one is wider but thinner and great for the thinnest lines. I posted previously about my eye-liner brushes here

Rating: 5 / 5. All of them except - the combined one - not really a fan of double sided brushes as I like to keep them standing in jars, and I'm not sure how to use the funny cut shadow side. 3 / 5.
The Concealer brush is very soft and sleek, perfect if you are looking for this kind of brush. For me its more useful for cream concealer which I don't use often as a MMU convert lol (for mineral makeup I normally use EM Eye Kabuki for under eye concealing and tiny brush for spot concealing) so for me it's 4 / 5.

SWATCHES: Mineral Liners by Lucy Minerals

2010-11-05T04:48:00.002+01:00

Taken in a daylight on a sunny day. My skin is light with yellow and olive undertones.
Espresso Liner, Charcoal Liner and Plum Liner. Good stuff :)

~ IMAGES ARE CLICKABLE FOR A LARGER VIEW ~

with flash

without flash

I must say the photos of these liners at the http://lucyminerals.com/ website are perfectly accurate!

All Saints Day & World Vegan Day

2010-11-01T21:30:00.003+01:00

Happy World Vegan Day !

Maggi

The Story of Cap & Trade - saving the environment?

2010-10-25T21:27:00.006+02:00

Many haters are opposing this woman's words but I support her. She's just trying to present the problems in a simple and understandable way. The jerks who always critize her work by bringing some "real scientific facts" make me tired. Go and separate and recycle your damn garbage, or just do something useful, fools!

Amazing sculptures by Claire Morgan

2010-10-19T06:00:00.002+02:00

At first glance these objects look like they are in motion, almost like every object is falling down, especially the “strawberry blanket”. In reality they are actually natural materials, like feathers, fruits and flowers, attached to nylon threads. Sculptor Claire Morgan from Belfast is the creator of this magnificent art work. She has among other things achieved a first class degree in Sculpture from Northumbria University. Her website is here http://www.claire-morgan.co.uk/

Quite fascinating!

Opinion: Cost of a make up brush

2010-10-12T03:05:00.004+02:00

So I was just browsing around Meow Cosmetics website and what a shock it gave me to see a brush with price $74.75. For a single brush! It was a flat top wooden handle brush made of squirrel hair. 74 bucks?? Were they breeding the squirrel by themselves? LOL. If the squirrel only knew...

Oh goodness. This made my day....err night :)

Update on Sassy Minerals blush swatches

2010-10-11T01:29:00.003+02:00

I have updated my July 2010 post about Sassy Minerals blushes with better swatches.
Check it out here: http://art-and-beauty-by-maggielet.blogspot.com/2010/07/sassy-minerals-mineral-blush-swatches.html

Review: Eye liner brushes

2010-10-11T00:31:00.014+02:00

My eyeliner brushes to date. I mostly use them with gel or cream eyeliners, or powder mineral liners mixed with mixing medium.

Lucy Minerals eye liner brush - my most favourite, highest quality syntetic bristles, soft but very tightly packed, can do the thinnest lines. This is one of the "Ultimate brushes line" marketed by more brands, and believed (me including) to be the softest syntetic MMU brushes available. 5/5

PUPA angled liner brush - used to be thinner than it is now, got fluffier over time of using, so I only use it for brows now and it's great for that. Made of natural bristles (I used to believe animal hair is better than syntetic, which isn't true. Now I know better, from now on - no more buying natural hair brushes = no animal cruelty). 3/5

PUPA eye liner brush (thin point) - another all time favourite. Same natural bristles. 4/5

Alverde eyeliner brush - syntetic white bristles, slightly bent ferrule. Out of shape since my daughter played with it... usable but not my fave. 2/5

~ IMAGES CLICKABLE FOR A LARGER VIEW ~

LM angled liner bristles long 7mm at the longest point, thick about 1,5mm

PUPA liner bristles long 7mm at the longest point, thick about 2,5mm

PUPA pointed liner bristles long about 5mm and thick about 1,5mm

These three are all long about 15,5cm full with handles

Lolcat of the day: Simon's Cat in 'Cat Chat'

2010-10-09T21:19:00.001+02:00

Opinion: Fake Hair

2010-09-13T04:29:00.011+02:00

Now one thing I just can't understand. Why black women wear wigs so much?! And all that extensions and fake stuff in their hair?? I know some white (or input any other race...) get extensions in their hair to get it longer. Like can't you take proper care of your hair and grow it long by itself?
But wigs are really rare in white culture, unless you are very old with spare hair, or lost your hair for cancer or have some other condition. And usually it's pretty much obvious (to me) when they wear it. Some people actually do not notice it however obvious it is, like those who think that ethnic and black people can have naturally straight hair... I personally am very observing, I tend to notice what others overlook.

I live in a multi-cultured area with all kinds of races including lots of blacks mostly Africans. I am white myself but have black relatives. It makes me wonder why I see so many black women with fake hair. Sometimes african styles, but mostly smooth and white-alike dos. Are they so ashamed of their own hair? Or what happened to the african pride? And black women going crazy over human Indian hair lol.

Everytime I see random black woman with natural hair, whatever the style, I feel appreciation for the lady being herself. If you're natural, you do not look like a slave or poor, but with the fake hair u do look fake. Oh you just like to wear it? Let's all wear weaves then.. and wear artificial body parts too.

I know in black communities, it is common that the kids are being raised and told to fix their bad (natural) hair to straight with perm relaxers and chemical stuff like that. And that stuff is very harmful for health. So it may be a lack of knowledge about the other choices. But at least they wear their own hair.

I must admit I have had african braids done on myself before (loose twisted braids), even with extra hair added, to make them longer. I had it for about a week or maybe more and couldn't stand it any longer, my scalp was itching so I made it loose to finally wash it. Because I couldn't imagine washing it (the braids) like that. I just wanted to try the braids. And before I got it loose, I cut few strands and I've been keeping them until now. lol
I once asked one my black relative who had done cornrow braids on her hair with extra hair in it, how she washes the hair like that, and she replied - "it's not dirty", so I didn't ask anymore. lol
......
BTW I'm not a racist, a racist is a person whose hatred is based on a skintone. I don't mind people being any color. But I mind wrong behaviour and attitudes among people.

Random cool stuff: Dragon Illusion!

2010-09-06T14:04:00.002+02:00

Random cool stuff: Pilot ejecting before crash

2010-09-04T00:27:00.004+02:00

Wow....

Lolcat of the day: Simon's Cat - 'Cat Man Do'

2010-08-29T03:50:00.004+02:00

Random cool stuff: Vertical Gardens

2010-08-29T03:46:00.004+02:00

Vertical gardens - have you seen such thing? Wow.

The Healthy Food Guide

2010-08-28T20:20:00.003+02:00

The Honest Food Guide

~ Clickable for a larger view ~

Lolcat of the day

2010-08-27T03:24:00.002+02:00

10 Ingredients To Avoid in Your Face Products

2010-08-27T03:03:00.003+02:00

Ten Ingredients To Avoid in Your Face Products:

Read the article here: http://www.good.is/post/ten-ingredients-to-avoid-in-you-face-products/

The truth about dairy products

2010-08-27T02:25:00.007+02:00

The truth about dairy products

Consumers who avoid meat for ethical or health reasons, usually continue to treat dairy products as nutritious and beneficial. In fact I (as a vegetatian) try to avoid them whenever there are vegetable-based (or call it vegan) alternatives available.

Consumers who avoid meat for ethical or health reasons, usually continue to treat dairy products as nutritious and beneficial. But products made from cow's milk are far from being "natural" to humans and are anything but beneficial for the cows and their calves.

Cow's milk is suitable for the nutritional needs of calves, which unlike human infants double their weight in 47días (unlike the 180 days it takes for humans) develop four stomachs, and weigh between 1,100 and 1,200 pounds in two years. Cow's milk contains about three times more protein than human milk and almost 50% more fat.
Apart from humans, no other species drinks milk after infancy, and no other species drink the milk of another species (except domestic cats and dogs acquiring the habit of humans). After four years of life, most people develop lactose intolerance, inability to digest the carbohydrate lactose (found in milk), because they no longer synthesize the digestive enzyme lactose. People with lactose intolerance who drink milk may suffer stomach cramps, gas and diarrhea. By some estimates, up to 70% of the world population are lactose intolerant. (1). Lactose intolerance occurs in 50% of Hispanic adults, and 75% or more of those descendants of Africans, Asians or American Indians.

Liquid Meat

Besides being an anti-natural food for humans, cow's milk, other dairy products, is unhealthy. Dr. John A. McDougall called "liquid meat" to dairy products because their nutritional content is very similar. Dairy products are high in fat and cholesterol. These include cheese, milk, butter, cream, yogurt and whey (found in many margarines and baked goods), which contribute to the development of heart disease, some cancers and stroke, the three diseases our nation's deadliest. Robert Cohen, author of "Milk: The Deadly Poison" (The Milk: The Deadly Poison), estimates that when the average American is 50 years old, he or she will have consumed dairy products the same amount of cholesterol present in a million slices of bacon. (2) Perhaps most surprising is that the consumption of dairy products has been linked with osteoporosis, the disease itself is supposedly prevented by the milk.
Osteoporosis is a debilitating disease characterized by low bone mass and deterioration of bone tissue. Contrary to the claims of the dairy industry, this bone loss does not stop or prevent an increase in calcium intake but a decrease in protein intake. In fact, after studying the diet of 78,000 American women over a period of more than 12 years, researchers at Harvard University concluded that "it is unlikely that high consumption of milk or other food sources of calcium in adulthood provide significant protective effects against hip fractures or forearm "in fact, those study participants who consumed more than 450 milligrams of calcium from dairy foods doubled the risk of hip fractures. (3) The animal protein-rich foods such as meat, eggs and dairy products, separating the calcium in the body to regulate acid derivatives resulting from the decomposition of excess protein that causes a net loss of calcium (4) . Those societies with little or no consumption of dairy products and animal protein, show a low incidence of osteoporosis. Furthermore, Dr. McDougall says, "Calcium deficiency caused by an insufficient amount of calcium in the diet is not known among humans." (5)

Other diseases are also more prevalent among those who consume large quantities of dairy products than among vegans. 90% of asthmatic patients who underwent a totally vegetarian diet (no meat, eggs or dairy products) experienced great improvements in the frequency and severity of attacks. (6) According to the Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, United States, milk is the main cause of allergies in children, causing various symptoms such as excessive runny nose, ear problems, muscle fatigue and headaches. (7). Dairy products have also been associated with heart failure, neonatal tetany, enlarged tonsils, ulserosa colitis, Hodgkin's disease, and respiratory problems, skin and gastrointestinal. (8)

A cow's life

At least half of the 10 million cows bred to be milked in the United States live on factory farms in conditions that cause tremendous suffering to the animals. Do not spend hours grazing in fields, but live crowded into pens or milking stalls with concrete floor, where they are milked by machines two or three times a day.

Milking machines often cause them to cuts and wounds that would not occur if the milking was manual. These wounds promote the development of mastitis, a painful bacterial infection. More than 20 different kinds of bacteria causing the infection that spreads easily from one cow to another and if not controlled, can cause death.

In some cases, milking machines also cause electric shock as a result of voltage surges, the cows causing great discomfort, fear, immune system damage and in some cases, death. It is possible that only one farm lost hundreds of cows due to voltage surges. (9)
Large dairy farms also have a detrimental effect on the surrounding environment. For example, in California, which produces one fifth of the total milk supply in the country, the fertilizer from the farms has poisoned hundreds - probably thousands, of square miles of groundwater, rivers and streams. Each of the more than one million cows excreted been 120 pounds of waste daily, equivalent to excrement two dozen people. (10)
In today's farms, cows live only four to five years, in contrast to the life expectancy of 20-25 years they enjoyed in the past. To keep the animals a high level of productivity, the producer kept continuously pregnant using artificial insemination. Producers also use a variety of drugs, such as bovine growth hormone (BGH by its acronym in English), prostaglandin, which is used to provoke the jealousy of the cow when the producer wants it to be inseminated, antibiotics and even tranquilizers in order to influence the productivity and behavior of cows.
Many of the country's dairy cows routinely injected with BGH, which, according to producers, increases the production of beef by 20 percent. That is not all that the hormone BGH increases. According to the government warning that by law must be posted in every package of Monsanto BGH, the use of this hormone "has been associated with increased cystic ovaries and uterine disorders, and may increase the number of cows suffering from mastitis. (11) The increase in the rate of infections in cows has led to increased antibiotic use in an age where scientists say the overuse of antibiotics has caused more and more strains of bacteria are resistant to drugs. Consumers Union, in an editorial in the magazine Consumer Reports (Consumer Reports) notes that a higher rate of infections in cows also means more pus in the milk consumed. (12)
Some researchers also worry about long-term effects of consuming milk from cows treated with BGH. For example, Dr. Samuel Epstein, professor of environmental medicine at the School of Public Health at the University of Illinois, believes that such milk could increase the risk of certain cancers in humans. (13)

What happens to the calf?

Perhaps the greatest pain suffered by cows in the dairy industry is the repeated loss of their young. Calves should join the line of milk producers, but the calves are usually separated from their mothers within 24 hours of birth and either sold at auctions to be used in the industry known or calf meat producers. If you kill the calf when young, his fourth stomach is also used in making cheese because it contains rennin, an enzyme used to curdle (or coagulate) milk to make cheese. Rennet, which has a membrane of which rennin is an extract can also be used in this process. It is possible to produce cheese without rennet (available in health food business), but the close connection between the dairy industry, the calf and leather makes for cheese producers to be more economical to use the parts of the calf enzyme of plant origin.
After 60 days, the cow will be impregnated again. For about seven months of her pregnancy lasts nine to continue milking the cow will milk for her calf to above. A typical industrial dairy cow give birth to three or four times in his short life. When their milk production declines, is sent to the slaughterhouse, most likely to be crushed and turned into fast food burgers.

References
(1) Dana Wood, W, Nov. 1996, page 114.
(2) Robert Cohen, "Milk: The Deadly Poison," Earth Island Journal, Summer (Southern Hemisphere) from 1997 to 1998, page 19.
(3) "Calcium: High Intakes May Double Hip Fracture Rates," Lunar Osteoporosis Update, November. 1997.
(4) Neal Barnard, MD, Eat Right, Live Longer, (New York: Harmony Books, 1995), p. 162.
(5) John A. McDougall, MD, and Mary A. McDougall, The McDougall Plan, (Piscataway, NJ: New Century Publishers, Inc., 1983), pg. 52.
(6) John Robbins, Diet for a New America (Walpole, NH: Stillpoint Publishing, 1987), p. 300.
(7) "Some Doctors Can not Swallow 'Drink Your Milk" Admonition, "The Las Vegas Review-Journal, March 8, 1996.
(8) McDougall, appropriately cited, pages 49-50.
(9) Jack Anderson and Dale Van Atta, "Stray Voltage Killing U.S. Dairy Cows," The Washington Post, 9 August 1989.
(10) Marla Cone, "State Dairy Farms Try to Clean Up Their Act," Los Angeles Times, April 28, 1998, p. A1.
(11), The Humane Farming Association, "Special Report: Bovine Growth Hormone." 1994
(12) Kathleen Day, "Dairy, Consumer Groups at Odds on Cow Udderly Hormone," The Washington Post, May 2, 1995, p. D1.
(13) Anita Manning, "Risk of Cancer Debate," USA Today, January 23, 1996, page 1D.

Source: PETA

Must see movies of 2010 - these movies will change your life

2010-08-21T23:40:00.005+02:00

"Precious"

"My name is Khan"

Random fun stuff: Shampoo comics

2010-07-29T20:55:00.002+02:00

Great blog to read: Sideris Ecoblog

2010-07-29T17:45:00.002+02:00

http://sideris.ro/blog/

This blog is written in Romanian language, so use translator, because I strongly suggest you to read it :)
Lots of home-made beauty recipes, bio / eco/ vegan topics that are actually useful!
One of my fave articles is Use of animal ingredients in cosmetics which tought me what I haven't known...

I have also found Peta's article listing ALL the animal ingredients here: Animal ingredients and their alternatives

Now the thing is, many of these ingredients also exist in syntetic form, but you can hardly know when you are reading the ingredients list on the product. Anyway if the product is marked as certified VEGAN (at least in EU), then it's the way to go. At least for me....

Truth seeking: Women killed in Juarez

2010-07-28T19:24:00.012+02:00

Sad truth of the city of Juarez, Mexico

Extracted from Wikipedia:

Ciudad de Juarez: Crime and safety

Criminal activity in the domestic metropolitan area of Juárez has increased dramatically since the rise of maquiladoras and especially following the establishment of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) in 1994^{[citation needed]}, two factors which attracted both international commerce and many younger women and their families to Juárez in search of better economic opportunities. Violence towards women in the municipality has increased dramatically in the past twenty years;^[17] since the early nineties there have been approximately 600 femicides^[18] and at least 3000 missing women.^[17]Juárez and Sinaloa Cartels have led to increasingly brutal violence in the city since the mid-2000s. Escalating turf wars between the rival The Juárez police department had a force of approximately 800 officers in September 2008, following the removal of a third of its human resources for various reasons. Recruitment goals set by the department called for the force to more than double.^[19]vigilantism would contribute to further instability and violence.^[20] In response to the increasing violence in the city the military and Federal Police's presence had been increased almost twofold. As of March 2009 at least 4500 soldiers and federal police were in the city attempting to curtail mostly drug cartel related violence.^[21] By August 2009 there were more than 7500 federal troops augmented by an expanded and highly restaffed municipal force.^[22] In the year leading up to August 2009 Juárez's murder rate was the highest reported in the world, exceeding the holders of the second and third highest rates, Caracas and New Orleans respectively, by more than 25%. The rate of 130 murders per 100,000 inhabitants is the same as Caracas' 2008 statistic for same period.^[23] Journalist Charles Bowden, in an August 2008 GQ article, wrote that multiple factors, including drug violence, government corruption and poverty have led to a dispirited and disorderly atmosphere that now permeates the city.^[10]^[24]

Female sexual homicides

Over the past 10 years Juárez has seen over 400 women fall victims to sexual homicides, their bodies often dumped in ditches or vacant lots. In addition, grassroots organizations in the region report that 40 remain missing. Despite pressure to catch the killers and a roundup of some suspects, few believe the true culprits have been found. A 2007 book called The Daughters of Juárez, by Teresa Rodriguez,^[32] implicates high-level police and prominent Juárez citizens in the crimes. This topic is also discussed in the 2006 book "The Harvest of Women" by journalist Diana Washington Valdez,^[33] and in the novel 2666 by Roberto Bolaño, in which Ciudad Juárez is fictionalized as "Santa Teresa", a border city in Sonora.

Official trailer of 2011 IIHF Slovakia - English Language

2010-07-28T03:49:00.003+02:00

GO SLOVAKIA !

The Story of Cosmetics (2010)

2010-07-26T14:34:00.014+02:00

“The Story of Cosmetics” by Annie Leonard Uncovers Hidden Toxins

It only stands to reason: If you put toxic chemicals into your products (say, sunscreen or baby shampoo) at the factory, you’re going to wind up with toxic sunscreen and toxic baby shampoo, toxins in workers and your community, and toxins in beachcombers and babies. The Story of Stuff Project’s Annie Leonard describes bathrooms all over America that are minefields of chemical nasties, most of which have links to asthma, learning disabilities, birth defects, and the big “C”: cancer.

This video is primarily dedicated to the USA inhabitants, and although European beauty industry is more toxin-eliminated right now, most shops are full of commercial rubbish, and American brands are coming to Europe more and more, not even mentioning Asian and other brands....
This video gets a lot of critics, but anyway I am still a proud user of organic products and mineral makeup! :)

Animal testing of cosmetics

2010-07-26T03:31:00.009+02:00

Please do not support companies testing ingredients and products on animals!

There are cruelty-free ways to test cosmetics.

= do not buy

or use your influence to make them change their practises, can you?

The companies that DO NOT test on animals:

Makeup

100% pure
Alima pure
Alva
Annemarie Borlind
Aubrey Organics
Barry M
Avon
Bellapiere
Bourjois
Coastalscents
Cosnova (Essence, Catrice)
DM - Drogerie Markt (S-he stylezone, Alverde)
Dr. Hauschka
Dr. Scheller (Manhattan)
Doetsch Grether AG (Dikla)
Essie Cosmetics
Gosh
Green people
Helan
Inika
Isadora

Illamasqua
Lavera
LOGOCOS Naturkosmetik AG (Logona, Sante)
Mann & Schroeder (Beauty planet)
Nuxe
NYX Cosmetics
Oriflame
O.P.I.
Paul Penders
Pupa

Rimmel
Suki
Sweetscents
Too faced cosmetics
Yves Rocher

Skin Care

100% pure
Afrodita
Aloe pura
Akamuti
Alva
Amazene
Annemarie Borlind
Anne Lind
Argandia
Arstrade
Atlantic grupa (Rosal)
Aubrey Organics
Avon
Baby boo
Balm, balm
Baylis & Harding
Bentley Organics
Bioemsan
Biovitalis
Cattier
Cioccolatina
Circaroma
Climb on!
DM - Drogerie Markt (Alverde, Babylove, Balea, Réell'e)
Dr. Bragi
Dr. Hauschka
Dr. Scheller
Doetsch Grether AG (Fenjal)
Essential care
Florame
Freeman Beauty
Frenchtop Natural Care (Skinwonder, Avalon, Lady's own, Man's own)
Green people
Helan
Ikove
Inlight
IsaDora
Jadran Galenski laboratorij (Holyplant)
John Masters Organics
Juice Beauty
Kneipp
Krka kozmetika
Laboratories Pierre Fabre (Avene)
Lavera
Live Native
L'Occitane
LOGOCOS Naturkosmetik AG (Logona, Neobio, Sante, Aquabio, Heliotrop)
Lovea
Love Therapy
Lovlis
Lush
Mann & Schröder GmbH (Fruttini, Alkmene, Sanosan, Numis Med, Dulgon, Oversa, Laura Vandini, Aldo Vandini)
Mantra
Martina Gebhardt
Mediterranea
Melvita
Moa the green balm
Montagne Jeunesse
Mueller (TerraNaturi, Alterra, Body & Soul, Cadeavera, Duchesse)
Natuderm
Natura house
Nuxe
Organique
Organics Pharmacy
Oriflame
Paul Penders
Purbabies
Purely skincare
Raw Gaia
Sanctum
SantaVerde
Suki
Urtekram
Taer Icelandic
Valie
Weleda

Tooth Care

Australian Tea Tree Organics
Bioemsan
Cattier
Curaden (Curaprox)
DM - Drogerie Markt (Dontodent)
Dr. Hauschka (Wala)
Doetsch Grether AG (Pearl Drops)
Green people
KingFisher
LOGOCOS Naturkosmetik AG (Logona)
Mueller (Sensident)
Nutrigea
Oriflame
Sarakan
Urtekram
Weleda

Hair Care

Afrodita
Aloe pura
Alva
Akamuti
Annemarie Borlind
Argandia
Aubrey Organics
Avon
Bentley Organics
Cattier
Cioccolatina
DM - Drogerie Markt (Balea, Réell'e)
Freeman Beauty
Frenchtop Natural Care (Henna plus, Avalon, Hairwonder)
Green people
Krka kozmetika
Mann & Schroeder (Happy hair, Dulgon, Diplona)
Helan
Ikove
Isadora
John Masters Organics
Just
Lavera
Lisap
L'Occitane
LOGOCOS Naturkosmetik AG (Logona, Neobio)
Lovlis
Lush
Melvita
Nutrigea
Nuxe
Organics Pharmacy
Oriflame
Paul Mitchell
Paul Penders
Purely skincare
Raw Gaia
Sanctum
Urtekram

Shaving and Depilation

Afrodita
American safety razor (Personna)
Aubrey Organics
Avon
DM - Drogerie Markt (Balea)
Green people
Lavera
L'Occitane
LOGOCOS Naturkosmetik AG (Logona)
Lush
Melvita
Mueller (Cadeavera)
Oriflame
Sanctum

Perfumes and Deodorants

Alva
Aubrey Organics
Avon
Balm, balm
Crystal
DM - Drogerie Markt (Balea, Alverde)
Doetsch Grether AG (Fenjal, Mum)
Florame
Green people
Helan
Isadora
Lavera
Live Native
L'Occitane
Love Therapy
Lovlis
Lush
Mann & Schröder GmbH (Beauty planet, Dulgon)
Melvita
Naturally fresh
Nuxe
Organique
Oriflame
Sanctum
Urtekram

Sun Creams

Afrodita
Aloe pura
Aubrey Organics
Avon
Climb on!
DM - Drogerie Markt (Sundance)
Dr. Hauschka
Green people
Helan
Isadora
Juice Beauty
Just
Laboratories Pierre Fabre (Avene)
Lavera
L'Occitane
LOGOCOS Naturkosmetik AG (Sante)
Lovea
Love Therapy
Krka kozmetika
Melvita
Nuxe
Organics Pharmacy
Oriflame
Weleda

Animal Food and Care

Agras Delic (Mr. Stuzzy Dog, Mr. Stuzzy Cat, Stuzzy Gold)
Almo Nature
Arden Grange
Artemis
Bio-derm laboratories (Bio groom)
Bewital (Belcanto, Leonardo, Fernando, Bewi Dog, Bewi Cat, Dogland, aniVital)
Cat's country (Felidae, Power of nature, Canidae, Evangers, Natures Variety)
Champion Petfoods (Orijen, Acana)
Dog Club Elite
Jean Peau
Minoteries SA Group (Biomill SA)
Nature Diet
Schesir
Sirò

Who DO test on animals:

Cosmetic (body care, makeup, haircare, sun creams, other)

Bausch & Lomb
Beiersdorf (Eucerin, Labello, Nivea)
Chesebrough-Ponds (Cutex)
Church & Dwight (Lady's Choice, Nair)
Coty Inc. (Miss Sporty, Rimmel)
Estée Lauder (Clinique, Estée Lauder, MAC Cosmetics ipd.) - are fighting to abolish cosmetic animal testing but they still test on animals
GlaxoSmithKline (Chap-et, Massengill)
Kimberly-Clark Corp. (Cottonelle, Huggies, Kleenex, Kotex, Pull-Ups)
L'Oreal (Biotherm, Garnier, Giorgio Armani, Helena Rubinstein, Innéov, Kérastase, Kéraskin Esthetics, Kiehl's, La Roche-Posay, Lancôme, Le Club des Créateurs de Beauté (Agnès B., Bioexigence, Corinne Cobson, Cosmence, Crazylibellule and the poppies, Jean-Marc Maniatis, Natural Sea, BeautyPr., Christine Poelman, The Body Shop, Thierry Mugler, Tina Barrat, YESforLOV), L'Oreal Paris, Matrix, Maybelline New York, Mizani, Redken Sanoflore, SoftSheen.Carson, Shu Uemura, SkinCeutical, The Body Shop, Vichy, Yves Saint Laurent)
Playtex (Hawaiian Tropic, Playtex, Banana Boat)
Procter & Gamble Co. (Aussie, Anna, Sui, Cover Girl, Fekkai, Gillette, Halo, Head&Shoulders, Herbal Essences, Londa Professional, Ivory, Max Factor, Natural Instincts, Nice'N'Easy, Nioxin, Old Spice, Pantene, Sebastian Professional, Safeguard, Olay, Vidal Sasson, Wella, Zest)
Schering-Plough (Bain de Soleil, Coppertone, Dr. Scholl's)
Shiseido Cosmetics
SCA Hygiene Products AB
Unilever (Dove, Elizabeth Arden, Lux, LIfebuoy,Pond's, Vaseline, Sarah Lee)

Perfumes and Deodorants

Colgate-Palmolive Co. (Speed Stick)
L'Oreal (Cacharel, Diesel, Garnier, Giorgio Armani, Lancôme, Ralph Lauren, The Body Shop, Viktor & Rolf, Yves Saint Laurent)
Nina Ricci (Extase, Priscilla Presley)
Coty Inc. (Adidas, Astor, Celine Dion, David and Victoria Beckham, Esprit, Halle Berry, Isabella Rossellini, Pierre Cardin, Playboy, Shania Twain, Kylie Minogue, Calvin Klein, Cerruti, Chopard, Davidoff, Jennifer Lopez, Lancaster, Marc Jacobs, Sarah Jessica Parker, Vera Wang, Vivienne Westwood idr.)
Shiseido Cosmetics
Procter & Gamble Co. (Alfred Dunhill, Anna Sui, Avril Lavigne, Baldessarini, Bruno Banani, Chiemsee, Cindy Crawford, Christina Aguilera, Gillette, Dolce&Gabbana, Ellen Betrix, Escada, Gerry Weber, Ghost, Gucci, Hugo, Hervé Léger,mHugo Boss, Jean Patou, Laura Biagiotti, Lacoste, Marc O'Polo, Mexx, Mont Blanc, Naomi Campbell, Old Spice, Puma, Replay, Rochas, Secret, Tom Tailor, Valentino).
Unilever (Axe, Dove, Elizabeth Arden, Hillary Duff, Fabergé, Helene Curtis, Henry Cotton's, Impulse, Lagerfeld, Rexona, Suave, Sunsilk, Valentino)

Tooth Care

GlaxoSmithKline (Aquafresh, Astringosol, Binaca, Biotene, Chlorhexamed, Corega, Corsodyl, Dequadin, dr. Best, Gly-Oxide, Lactacyd, Macleans, Odol, Parodontax, Polident, Poligrip, Sensodyne, Schumitect)
Gillette Co. (Oral-B)
Pfizer (Plax)

For Home

Colgate-Palmolive Co. (Ajax)
Gillette Co. (Duracell, Liquid Paper, Parker Pens)
Henkel (Bref, Clin, Opti, Persil, Perwoll, Pril, Pur, Rex, Silan, Somat, Weisser Riese)
Procter & Gamble Co. - P&G (Ace Antikal, Ariel, Alomatic, Comet, Dash, Dreft, Febreze, Lenor, Luvs, Meister Clean, Zest)
Reckitt Benckiser (Airwick, Ava, Calgon, Calgonit, Easy Off, Harpic, Lysol, Mop & Glo, Old English, Resolve, Spray 'N Wash, Vanish, Veet, Woolite)
S.C. Johnson (Drano, Edge, Fantastik, Glade, Oust, Pledge, Scrubbing Bubbles, Windex, Ziploc)
Unilever (Cif, Comfort, Diversey, Domestos, Omo, Radiant, Sunlight, Surf)

Animal Food and Care

Mars Incorporated (Chappi, Pedigree, Cesar, Royal Canin, Frolic, Whiskas, Sheba, Kitekat, Catsan (pesek))
Colgate Palmolive (Hill's)
Procter & Gamble (Iams, Eukanuba)
Nestlè (Fido, Friskies, Pro Plan, Purina ONE, Purina veterinary diets, Felix, Gourmet)
Bayer (PRO GRES)
Taste of the Wild

HERE is another list from PETA (a more accurate one).

Random fun stuff: The Evil Eye

2010-07-19T21:16:00.001+02:00

Random cool stuff: Finger Painting on the Apple iPad

2010-07-11T01:54:00.003+02:00

AMAZING !

POCOYO - my daughter's (and mine!) favourite cartoon

2010-07-09T01:10:00.006+02:00

Lucy Minerals - mineral blush swatches

2010-07-09T00:02:00.007+02:00

Taken in a natural daylight (except the baggies - those are snapped with a flash). My skin is light with yellow and olive undertones.

~ ALL IMAGES ARE CLICKABLE FOR A LARGER VIEW ~

sample baggies

applied over cream concealer

close-up

spread on bare arm, no base

Quite lovely stuff, Sea Coral looks more of a brick color, than a coral..
Glow reminds me of "Warm Sugar" from Pure Luxe Cosmetics - I think that one is an eyeshadow, but I'm using it as a bronzer..

Wanna change Revlon ColorStay for mineral make up ?

2010-07-08T19:54:00.027+02:00

If you are using Revlon ColorStay foundation and would like to move on to mineral one, I highly suggest trying Lucy Minerals! Their foundation has a comparable extra-high coverage, there are more formulas including 2 different oil-control formulas, moreover it's packed with a lot of healthy stuff - check more at their website: http://lucyminerals.com/

Here I'm copying some info:

Reasons to use Lucy Minerals :

~ Anti-aging, natural sun protection (Titanium Dioxide and Zinc Oxide)
~ Our Original Formula Foundation is infused with a highly concentrated, high ORAC Antioxidant called Apple Poly®, plus Trans-Resveratrol, Green Coffee Bean Extract, and a gentle form of Vitamin C called magnesium ascorbyl phosphate.
~ NO Parabens, Micronized Minerals, or Petroleum Products
~ Water-resistant - Holds up well in humidity
~ Zinc Oxide has anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties
~ Ideal for sensitive, acne-prone, or problem skin (especially rosacea)
~ Contains the ingredient Allantoin (an anti-irritant) to soothe and protect the skin
~ Natural looking coverage that allows the skin to breathe
~ Light-refractive quality that diminishes the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
~ Balances the moisture content in the skin
~ Great coverage - reduces redness in skin
~ Free from bismuth oxychloride, talc, fragrance or preservatives
~ No waxes to clog pores
~ Lightweight - feels like you are not wearing makeup
~ Hand-blended in small batches with high quality ingredients
~ Affordable - Compare our prices

Here are swatches to compare my Revlon ColorStay in shade "Buff" to the closest shades of LM :

~ ALL IMAGES ARE CLICKABLE FOR A LARGER VIEW ~

in direct sunlight

See all my LM foundation swatches here: http://art-and-beauty-by-maggielet.blogspot.com/2010/07/lucy-minerals-mineral-foundation.html

LM foundation has a very nice finish, not completely matte like most mineral brands I have tried, but slightly glowing, reminds me of the finish of Everyday Minerals in "Original Glo" and the "Semi Matte" formula. Anyway, you can always use either a mattifying or a highlighting product on it : )

And I like their finishing powders as well!

Worth a try !!!!!!!!!!!!!

Lucy Minerals - mineral foundation swatches

2010-07-08T19:18:00.014+02:00

Shades: Snow White, Light, Cream, Bisque, Creamy Bisque, Pale Olive, Creamy Olive, Medium Olive, Golden Medium, Toffee, Cocoa
This is the best mineral foundation I have tried so far. It contains antioxidants and has the highest coverage, which I love! And I have found my match - Creamy Olive! Although Pale Olive is fine too when I'm not tanned.

Taken in a daylight on a sunny day. My skin is light with yellow and olive undertones. These swatches were done on the inside of my arm, that's why the skin is so pale.

~ ALL IMAGES ARE CLICKABLE FOR A LARGER VIEW ~

sample baggies

UPDATE 21 Feb 2011: more photos:

Snow White is pure white color. Toffee and Cocoa are the darkest colors that LM offers.

in direct sunlight

Go vegetarian - WHY ?

2010-07-08T00:58:00.010+02:00

(Note - this is not my original content, but I want to share it. I do not know the original source)

SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT!
GO VEGETARIAN - Reasons WHY ?

Because heart disease begins in childhood. Meat has no fiber but is laden with fat and cholesterol, which

is why the late Dr. Benjamin Spock, in the final edition of his book Baby & Child Care, recommended against feeding children any kind of meat.

Because a vegan diet reverses heart disease. On the American Heart Association (AHA) diet, which includes

meat, patients' arteries continue to clog, while Dr. Dean Ornish's vegan diet unclogs arteries. In one study, AHA dieters experienced a 28 percent average worsening of clogged arteries, while dieters on Ornish's program experienced an 8 percent improvement in their arteries.

Because eating meat and dairy products makes you fat. As a nation, we're getting fatter, and the Atkins diet has only made matters worse because it only works in the short term. Only 2 percent of pure vegetarians are obese, which is about one-ninth the figure for meat-eating Americans.

Because you shouldn't have to lie to your kids about the food you eat. Children would be horrified to learn about the cruelty and violence involved in turning chickens, pigs, and other animals into nuggets and other "foods."

Because in every package of chicken, there's a little poop. A USDA study found that 98 percent of broiler chicken carcasses had detectable levels of E. coli, indicating fecal contamination.

Because meat is filthy and bloody. There are more than 50 million cases of meat-related food borne illness every year in the United States, thousands of which lead to death. Animals accumulate dangerous chemicals in their flesh and fat (which meat-eaters consume), including dioxins, antibiotics, pesticides, herbicides, and even

the most toxic form of arsenic.

Because it isn't fair. Killing other animals is an act of exploitation and violence, and we do it only because we have the power to.

Because no living creature wants to see her family slaughtered. Cows love their calves, sows love their piglets, and chickens love their chicks. Farmed animals love their families and mourn their loss.

Because eating meat and dairy products causes impotence. Going vegetarian is a natural alternative to Viagra because before meat's artery-clogging action gives you a heart attack, it affects other vital organs. In one study, one-fourth of those in "the oldest age group" of men aged 40 to 79 reported frequent occurrence of erectile dysfunction, while in another study, half of men over 40 reported that they experienced erectile

dysfunction at least some of the time.

Because you wouldn't eat your dog. Most people are horrified that some cultures eat dogs or whales, but these animals suffer no more than animals commonly consumed in the U.S. The difference is only cultural, not moral.

Because mad cow disease is in the U.S. Any animal with a brain could contract a version of mad cow disease, yet millions of pigs and chickens are still being fed the remains of diseased animals—in violation of World Health Organization recommendations and the laws of Japan and Europe.

Because it's violence that you can stop. We may feel powerless to stop war or other forms of violence, but we can choose not to support slaughterhouses by rejecting flesh foods.

Because no one should have to kill for a living. Slaughterhouse workers have among the highest rates of injury and illness in the country, and working in a slaughterhouse would dull anyone's sense of compassion. Because it takes a small person to beat a defenseless animal ... and an even smaller person to eat one. If you're eating meat, you are paying others to commit acts so cruel that if committed against dogs or cats, they would warrant felony cruelty charges in most U.S. states.

Because no animal deserves to die for your taste buds. A human being's desire for a momentary taste of flesh is not as important as another animal's desire not to be tortured and violently killed.

Because the grain used to feed animals could be used to feed hungry people.

Eighty percent of U.S. agricultural land is used to raise chickens, pigs, and other farmed animals; seventy percent of grains are used to feed them. If the massive quantities of grain, soy, and corn now fed to factory-farmed animals were freed up, there would be plenty of food for the world's starving people.

Because more than half of all water used in the U.S. is used to raise animals for food.

A totally vegetarian diet requires 300 gallons of water per day, while a meat-eating diet requires more than 4,000 gallons of water per day. Time magazine reports, "Around the world, as more water is diverted to raising [cattle], pigs, and chickens, instead of producing crops for direct consumption, millions of wells are going dry."

Because you can't eat meat and call yourself an environmentalist. Funneling crops and water through animals rather than using those resources directly is our country's top way of wasting water and polluting. Factory farms demand more water than all other users combined and produce 130 times as much waste as the entire human population of the United States. Farming animals also requires more than one-third of all greenhouse-gas-emitting fossil fuels used in the U.S. and has destroyed three-fourths of our topsoil, a permanent environmental catastrophe that can't be corrected.

Because they're defenseless. Nobel laureate Isaac Bashevis Singer called speciesism the "most extreme" form of racism because animals are the least able to defend themselves and the easiest to victimize.

Because when animals feel pain, they scream, too. If you burn them, they feel it. If you give them electric shocks, they feel it. Animals feel pain in the same way and to the same degree that we humans do.

Because they don't want to die. Animals value their lives as much as humans do.

Because they feel fear. Their hair stands on end, they urinate on themselves, and they shake, just as we do when frightened out of our minds with the prospect of being hurt or killed.

Because no matter how you slice it, it's still flesh. Other animals are made of flesh, bone, and blood, just as we are, so "meat" is just a euphemism for a decomposing corpse used as food.

Because commerce is no excuse for murder. The chicken, pork, and other animal mass-murdering industries are huge, but it's time for them to go the way of the slave trade (which also had strong economic incentives).

Because even prisons aren't this crowded. Animals on factory farms are crammed into so little space that many of them are unable to do anything natural to them for their entire lives.

Because this is not what wings are for. Chickens, pigs, and other farmed animals never get to breathe fresh air, feel the sun on their backs, build a nest, nuzzle their young, or do anything at all that they were born to do.

Because everyone wants to be free. We know that it's true of birds let out of a cage and of dogs taken to the park, and it's equally true of farmed animals: They desire freedom, just as humans do.

Because eating fish doesn't make you a vegetarian. Fish have the same ability to respond to pain that birds and mammals have and are also interesting individuals in their ownright. According to a review of the science published in Fish and Fisheries, fish are "highly intelligent"—they have long-term memories and learn from one another, use tools, form social hierarchies, and "can even be favourably compared to nonhuman primates." Explains marine biologist Dr. Sylvia Earle, fish are "so good-natured, so curious. You know, fish are sensitive, they have personalities, they hurt when they're wounded."

Because might doesn't make right. In our moral development as a species, we've reached the point where it's time to recognize that other species deserve consideration, just as we finally recognized that slavery was wrong, that women deserved the vote, and that children should not be abused as a method of child rearing.

BECAUSE YOU KNOW THIS IS WRONG

Common sense tells us, and we know in our hearts, that our fellow animals have the same kind of feelings and

desires that we do and that we should not kill and hurt others in order to eat them.

Sassy minerals - eyeshadow swatches

2010-07-07T21:20:00.013+02:00

Taken in a daylight on a sunny day. My skin is light with yellow and olive undertones.
I've got only two eye shadows so far, but I'll update when I'll have more.

~ ALL IMAGES ARE CLICKABLE FOR A LARGER VIEW ~

sample jars

applied on bare hand

applied over cream concealer

I love these colors, they got such a pretty sheen to them, no sparkles, and Twist is kind of metallic. Success is one of my most favourite e/s ever. And a great face highlighter.

Truth seeking: Collateral Murder

2010-07-07T17:01:00.008+02:00

For you truth seekers like me, please search "collateral murder" on YouTube and Wikileaks. You may find nonsense that's seems to be really happening in the war zones. It is very sad that some US troops think anything civilians (and media reporters) carry on their shoulders is a weapon. The person (Bradley Manning) who first leaked the video faces court. Some call him a hero, and I would agree.
I'm not into watching violence of any form, but the truth is ugly sometimes.

Random cool stuff: Subwoofer fun

2010-07-07T14:11:00.007+02:00

I love subwoofer fun lol

.

Sassy Minerals - mineral blush swatches

2010-07-06T17:32:00.017+02:00

Taken in a daylight on a sunny day. My skin is light with yellow and olive undertones.

sample jars (Plus One is mix of 2 samples, it wasn't that full hahah)

applied over a cream concealer

in direct sunlight, to show the shimmer of Plus One and Pinch Me,
without base

Sassy Minerals - mineral foundation swatches

2010-07-05T17:51:00.009+02:00

Taken in a daylight on a sunny day. Swatched on the inside of my arm which is fair, almost white in color, otherwise I'm light with yellow and olive undertones.

~ ALL IMAGES ARE CLICKABLE FOR A LARGER VIEW ~

in direct sunlight

Warm Light is a bit peachy on my skin. Golden Light is quite suitable for me, but not very covering :( I'd say medium coverage. And they feel same like Meow Flawless, which also dont give me the coverage i want.
Sassy Minerals also got AMAZING finishing powders, very soft and silky, worth a try!

Buy Green: Tampons. ---> Great blog to read: Planet Green

2010-07-04T19:08:00.007+02:00

Planet green: http://planetgreen.discovery.com/

Buy Green: Tampons

By Team Planet Green | Mon Jun 8, 2009 15:37

From organic cotton to sea sponges to reusable cups, these five feminine products are easy on your body and the earth.

So, it's that time of the month, and what you may not know may hurt you. Conventional feminine hygiene products often contain a multitude of unlisted chemicals that are harmful to both your body and the planet. Look no further—here are five greener options that will keep you and your conscience feeling clean. Conventional feminine hygiene products are often marketed by companies as discreet and safe to use — but is it REALLY so ??

Read full story here: http://planetgreen.discovery.com/buying-guides/buy-green-tampons.html

( Also with suggestions of particular "green" brands to get)

Random cool stuff: MONSTERS of the Ancient Seas

2010-07-04T11:12:00.006+02:00

Watch in fullscreen ! lol

Great blog to read: Earth Divas blog

2010-07-02T13:40:00.003+02:00

http://earthdivasblog.com/ is bringing amazing articles on simple eco and sustainable solutions for your everyday life.
Latest article (to date) is comparing natural fibers to syntetic ones. Most of us know syntetics are not good for us, but do you know WHY?
Check out the article here: http://earthdivasblog.com/2010/07/01/natural-fibers-vs-synthetic-fibers/

Random fun stuff

2010-06-24T15:58:00.006+02:00

from
http://icanread.tumblr.com/post/721431440

Random cool stuff

2010-06-24T15:52:00.002+02:00

lForget the stairs - take the slide to the platform.....

Meow Cosmetics mineral foundation swatches

2010-06-21T04:29:00.017+02:00

Taken in a daylight on a sunny day. Swatched on the inside of my arm which is fair, almost white in color, otherwise I'm light with yellow and olive undertones. For comparing, the last photo contains swatch of Revlon Colorstay in shade "buff" which I normally use on face.....

~ ALL IMAGES ARE CLICKABLE FOR A LARGER VIEW ~

indoors close to window

in direct sunlight

in direct sunlight - Revlon looks really dark here, its more yellow in real life

Abyssinian1 and Korat1 match my arm, though I didn't find a perfect match for my face. I Guess I need a bit of green in the olive toned Ocicat, instead of "olive and beige", which they put there - description from Meow website. Otherwise I can manage with Abyssinian or Korat.