Need a (safe & easy) hair color boost?

By Elle

I’ve often read that one should aspire to a lighter, warmer hair color as one ages, and since I suppose I know a wee bit about aging these days (after all, I’ve been helping to care for my mom), I think that advice is right on target.

Aw, who am I kidding. I can’t blame my mom for everything. Truth is, I’m getting older every dang day. And I’ve noticed that when I don’t color my hair, it looks dull and lifeless, and I look at least six months older than I am. At least.  But I really don’t dig using chemicals on my person, so when I do color my hair, I use semi-permanent products that wash out within a month. Downsides: 1) I forget to do it, and 2) I feel annoyed about committing 25 minutes to coloring my hair. I don’t have that kind of time these days. Srsly. And you probably don’t either.

So, after complaining about my predicament recently to my stylist, whom I totally adore and trust, she recommended Watercolors by Tressa.  Based in Cincinnati, Ohio, Tressa was kind enough to send us several of their products to try. Try I did, and here’s what I thought.

How to stay stink-free, without chemicals, without worry

By Elle

Disclaimer: Even though this is a fashion blog, we sometimes will share info on products we love. So there.

I’m as fussy about what I put on my body as I am about what I put in it. For example, I prefer to wear deodorant versus antiperspirant because of the aluminum, parabens, fragrances and other chemicals I’d rather live without. And although I don’t sweat like a lumberjack, I do hit the gym most days of the week, and frankly it had been a struggle to find something that really works.

Milk of Magnesia Deodorant aka The Best Deodorant Ever. Seriously.

So when I read about the effectiveness of a deodorant made from Milk of Magnesia, I decided to give it a try. That’s right, Milk of Magnesia. Relief for achy tummies. Who wouldn’t slap some in their armpits?

Turns out the testimonials were right on target: This stuff seriously works. I’ve been using it for several years now, and I’m amazed not only by how well it works but also that it is scent-free.

I first read about in the email newsletter from People’s Pharmacy, a great resource for home remedies. If you’re interested, sign up for the newsletter. I learn something new every week!

If you like this post, share it on your Facebook page. Maybe your friends will like it, too!

All Wrapped Up

By Abby
Wool Overs is not pulling the wool over your eyes when they say their natural fiber clothing is an amazing value. The company offers wool, cashmere and cotton knitwear, mainly in classic styles, for both men and women. They were nice enough to send me a piece to review, and I chose a ballet wrap cardigan, made from silk and cotton, in natural white — perfect for cool summer evenings.

The cardigan is everything they said it would be: soft, comfortable and versatile — three qualities I love in my clothing. This cardigan can be casual or dressy and can be tied in different ways to achieve different looks.

Make it a Crystal Spring

Sabika drop earring

By Abby and Elle

Take a look at this recently discovered (by us) jewelry, handmade from Austrian crystal by German and Austrian women in their own homes. The company, called Sabika, sent each of us a pair of their crystal drop earrings. We tried them for a couple of months, and here’s what we think.

French Skin Care Comes to Cleveland: Our Take

Votre Vu Best Regards Set for Normal to Dry Skin

By Abby and Elle

We recently sampled a number of skin care products from the French company Votre Vu. Around for decades in France, the company recently expanded into the U.S. market, and now Cleveland, with a robust line of products including creams, toners, serums and masks, all created in the French fashion using botanicals such as lemon extract, peppermint leaf, ginseng root extract and sunflower seed oil.

Elle tested the Full Benefits set for mature skin (“Full Benefits,” get that? As in, bring on the Big Guns!), because believe it or not she turned 50 this year. Abby tested the Best Regards set for Fair Lasses who are Young and Perfect (normal-to-dry-skin version). The company also offers a line for sensitive skin and for troubled skin.

Here’s to Fashionably Healthy, Non-toxic Skin!

By Elle

Here’s a tip on a fabulous product that doesn’t contain harmful chemicals: Whipped Shea Butter, scented with mango — so amazing, I wish you could scratch and sniff the photo below! The main ingredient, shea butter, is a natural moisturizer that’s been used in Africa for centuries. I use a little on my neck, mainly for the scent, but also for its hydrating qualities.

I discovered this product, made by Nomad Ethnobotanicals, at the open-air market across from Cleveland’s West Side Market last year. The lovely woman who sells this and other shea-buttery products is there every Saturday from June until October, so be sure to pay her a visit if you’re in the area. The products are super-reasonably priced!

You can reduce your environmental exposure to harmful chemicals by avoiding parabens (look for anything that ends in “paraben”: propylparaben, benzylparaben, methylparaben and butylparaben), formaldehyde, phthalates and other nasties that are prevalent in many mainstream personal care products. For a wide variety of non-toxic options, Wholefoods is a great resource. I go there every few months and stock up on all the stuff I use.

And, of course, I delight when I stumble upon a great company like Nomad Ethnobotanicals!