Sweet Serenity - A Vibrant Treat For My Skin

"You look wonderful! " said the lovely random lady, stopping me on the street staring at my face. Well, I definitely felt very good and radiant while running errands with little Faye in tow.

I can't say that it was the skin care that led to this compliment but I know that Max&Me Oils have this very therapeutic effect, they somehow uplift my soul and put me in a great mood.

Is it the beautiful packaging with Elf illustrations or the organic & wildcrafted ingredients? There is surely some magic involved when it comes to this luxury skin care brand! 

I hinted that this month is a little over-scheduled (to avoid saying stressful, which is just a little too negative) for us and on top of everything my kitchen flooded today, but that's a story for another time. Or actually hardly worth telling. Ever. 

To change things up from my usual skincare routine, this month is asking for some extra treats:

I have been oil cleansing with Purity&Grace and moisturising with Sweet Serenity Beauty Balm. And what can I say? Magic! 
Both are balancing for all skin types and can be used day & night, which came in handy when travelling.  

The magic happens when you inhale the aromatic Oils prior to massaging the balm into the skin. They are both vegan, organic, and packed with luxurious natural ingredients. 
Highly recommended!  

I will share some more about this line and a few surprises over here soon. Stay tuned.  

A hairy subject- The latest in Toxin Free Hairstyling

I find good natural skin care and makeup way easier to come by then hair products. If you watched my video on my fave body & products you already know my go-tos. 

HAIR COLOUR
Yet, I am always curious to find new good things in the natural beauty world . The hairiest issue has been finding a hair colour that is fairly toxin-free and most of all cruelty-free too! Of course, certain chemicals are needed to change hair colour permanently, but that doesn't mean that it needs to be packed with toxic additives. Today I had my lovely neighbour and fellow hair- and makeup artist Melissa Hope coming over to my place (Hooray! For mobile hair dressers that can deal with babies!) She uses Italian Eco Brand Oway hair colour. And the results were amazing. Highly recommended!!! It seems like a really outstanding brand. No fumes, no stinky business, no nasties just beautiful professional hair colour!

HAIR TOOLS
I have a busy month coming up with plenty of travel for wedding makeup work and got myself a little super light mini Hairdryer by Babyliss, (which is a cruelty-free brand!) via RY, which has an all new organic/natural section on their side now. Yay! However, not all products listed there meet my own organic/natural standards. Always read the ingredient label and don't become a victim of "greenwashing". Check out which ingredients to avoid on my list here.
So yeah, while I use pro tools in my kit, I love this little mini dryer for our own travels. It's quite powerful for such a little thing. 

SHAMPOO, CONDITIONER & TREATMENT
Envirocare Earth has just released their line of silicone-free hair products. I was somewhat hesitant to let go of my trusted products and try something different, but oh boy! These have actually worked such a treat. My hair is less frizzy and easy to brush with these. They have a very lovely super subtle scent that doesn't linger (which I prefer!) and free of any nasty ingredients and the big, dark pump bottles look really great in our bathroom too. I use the shampoo, conditioner & treatment. 
This is actually a really great line, that I had underestimated. Give it a go if you are looking for a toxin-free new hair shampoo. (It works perfectly for my fine-ish, coloured, dry & long hair) and hubby has been stealing some for his beard and really liked it too!

There you have it! This is what I have used on my own hair lately! 

 

Vegan Shoes & Bags - Why I stopped wearing leather

I really love dressing up. I always have. You might know that I have studied fashion design!?
While I try my best to shop ethically or find secondhand treasures, my best fashion decision has been to give up leather! Yet I have not had to compromise to wear cool sneakers, nice heals or comfy & stylish sandals. I own a luxurious wallet and pretty bags.
All of which are: Vegan!

There are so many good reasons for it! It was just about aligning my actions with my beliefs.
I know, we are all so set in our ways and it's easy to overlook buying decisions that we are just to used to. Although I have been a lifelong Vegetarian and long-term vegan, I have still had leather shoes and bags in my wardrobe until last year. Many times I made an effort to buy non-leather pieces, yet I still owned quite a few. There was a time this just didn't feel right anymore and items had to be donated. I felt like a fraud walking around in these things that so clearly weren't in line with my ethics.
I don't want any animals to suffer for my vanity, in 2017 we simply don't need fur, leather, wool or other animal products to keep warm or look good. Leather has a huge negative impact on the environment, just in case you thought of it as a "natural" material. The way it is processed is highly toxic and pollutes waterways and harms the people who are producing it.
Once you do your research it becomes clear that it is the most unsustainable material and simply a bad choice.

Today I wanted to share a little interview with Debbie, founder of the Humankind online store.
She brought more beautiful,  high-quality vegan brands of shoes & bags to Australia, which
You might have spotted my current favourite sneakers and oxfords already on my personal blog and Instagram, which are available at her fabulous little store.

Tell us a little about yourself!
I am a mother of 3 and originally a dietitian by profession. I have always been an animal lover - as a 10-year-old child I would gather signatures from family and friends for petitions to ban the Canadian seal hunt and the culling of kangaroos. I stopped eating meat at the age of 16 and in the last 10 years or so I have been gradually reducing my use of all animal products, including leather. It was my search for high-quality, fashionable and affordable vegan leather bags, shoes and accessories, and a desire to make these more available here in Australia, that led me to establish Humankind.

Why did you stop wearing leather?
Although I stopped eating meat many years ago, the more I read and watched and learned I realised that if I really cared deeply about animals and wanted to avoid harming them, I needed to stop wearing leather too. Many people view leather as a by-product of the meat industry, however, as animal skins, sold as leather, are very valuable, they should really be considered more a ‘co-product’ of the meat industry, which contributes to an increased demand for more animals to be raised and killed.

What are the benefits of not wearing leather?
Knowing that you are not contributing to the harming of animals.

What is the biggest difference in wearing vegan leather alternatives?
The biggest difference would be that no animals are harmed in the process of making vegan leather alternatives.

Is vegan leather better for the planet?
A lot has been written criticizing vegan leather but the truth is animal leather is terrible for the environment. This is because of the tanning process, which conditions the skins, involves the use of many toxic chemicals, which are hazardous to the environment, waterways and the workers who work in the tanneries. The alternative leather industry has developed methods to produce materials from natural products, such as pineapples and mushrooms, and is continuously evolving. I think we’re going to see a lot of new leather alternatives, that not only avoid harming animals, but also avoid harming the environment, in the next few years.

How can people find fashionable alternatives?
When I stopped wearing leather about 10 years ago it was really hard to fashionable vegan leather bags and shoes. I would carry around a grungy canvas bag and wear Converse sneakers in the winter and Havaiana thongs in the summer. Things have changed so much since then and there is a great range of products now available, especially online. Humankind is a great place to start ;-)

How did you select the brands in your store?
For me to stock something in my store I have to personally love it and have tried it out myself. I certainly had lots of fun sampling things in the early phases – all in the name of research of course! I only sell great quality products as I want customers to have a good experience with their vegan bags, shoes and accessories.

What's next for Humankind?
I intend to expand the range of vegan leather bags, shoes and accessories I stock so people who choose not to wear leather here in Australia and around the world have a great range of products to choose from. I’m on a mission to prove that you don’t need to sacrifice style or quality just because you don’t wear leather and I’d like to take that message mainstream!

Do you have a vegan style muse/inspiration?
I love nature and colour and I’m drawn to a casual, earthy aesthetic.

All Images of vegan Bags & Shoes available at the Humankind online store
/ Credits: Via Humankind Instagram

Thank you for your time and for bringing more vegan accessories to Australia, Debbie!

The Latest in Natural Indie Bath & Beauty

Relaxation! So important for a new Mama! Or most of us really! Mama or not, we wear many hats and have countless responsibilities. With work lined up around the corner, I am creating little pockets of calm for me. Recharging pockets!
Yoga in the morning, a mask, bath, meditation or back rub at night... the little things are making all the difference.

I have recently tried some wonderful pampering products from some cute Indie Beauty labels.

Freya's Nourishment has won me over with their Rose Hand Scrub. Constant hand washing and nappy changing have left my hands a little dry and rough in some parts and this is such a treat! Very restoring with a gorgeous balancing Rose scent I kept the little jar close to the basin and have enjoyed it so, so much! This would make such a lovely gift as well!
Freya's Nourishment is a small batch Australian beauty company with beautiful handmade bath & beauty products! The products are vegan and cruelty-free.
I have really enjoyed her Rose And Pomegranate Bath Salt and Wild Rose & Peony Candle.
(All her candles are phthalate free made with non-toxic fragrance!).
I felt comfortable burning this one beside my bath at night. Real Mama bliss.
(With our little baby in the house I am currently not burning any candles or oils in rooms that she is in. Babies developing lungs are very sensitive and it's best not to perfume the house!) 

Another one to watch is Bear Lake Finds. It's an online store with a small selection of indie beauty products imported from the USA & carefully curated by the founder, who wanted to bring her favourite beauty products home and make them available in Australia. 
Most products are on the website are natural, all are cruelty-free and from small batch beauty labels.
I had never heard of the brands or products that she stocks so I was naturally curious!
Moon Rivers Naturals is a true gem. With Organic Ingredients and cool eco-friendly packaging, the products are great quality.
I discovered a luxurious Peppermint Lavender Body Scrub & Rose Geranium Bath Soak that made my skin glow and worries melt away. I am always on the hunt for a candle made with 100% essential oils and no synthetic fragrance, which is very hard to find! A candle that was so pretty I just wanted to keep it out on the shelf and sniff it.... Yep, that's the Slow North Lavender & Cedar Candle. If you like candles you will love these! And non-toxic !!! Stock up!
(We actually have a trip to the mountains coming up and I can't wait to light it there when soaking in the jacuzzi of our little chalet) 

And last but not least: Good Vibes Oil!
Which smells of Hippie (in a good way!) I have used it a few times when my emails and phone calls were overwhelming, with great success and a now carrying it in my handbag! Just in case... When the need arises I use a few drops on temples & neck and voila. Good Vibes all around! It is minty fresh with some earthy notes. Def unisex, on the masculine side. Not all the magical oils are revealed on the ingredient list, but we can be sure about chamomile & lavender working their soothing magic. It's a blend of organic flowers, essential oils and even a little quartz crystal swims in the little bottle. 

I will do a separate post about Aromatherapy for Mum's real soon! Stay tuned. 
Now excuse me while I take a bath in candle light ;)

Liv's Radiant Rawnola Recipe

This Rawnola is the perfect snack when you have a sweet craving, a yummy dessert and perfect topping for smoothie bowls!
Best of all it's packed with vital nutrients for radiant skin and overall health.
Oh, and did I mention that it's super quick and easy to make?

If you haven't heard of Rawnola before: It's a cereal substitute for baked crunchy granola.
While it does get crumbly it stays chewy and tastes more like cookie dough. Yummmmmm!
If you prefer more crunch add some "Buckinis" which is Activated raw Buckwheat to the final mixture. As always use certified organic ingredients of the best quality and without any additives or preservatives.

Equipment:
You can use a food processor or high-speed blender. I used my Vitamix. It's important to only use the lowest setting and not to overdo it with the blending! And a jar for storage. That's it!

Ingredients:
1 Cup of Organic Oats
1 Cup of Organic Dried Mulberries
1 Teaspoon Cinnamon
2 Tbsp Chia Seeds
1/2 a Cup Coconut Flakes or Shredded Coconut (organic and preservative free)
10 Dates (in the pictures I ran out of enough Dates and added some mixed dried berries instead, you can also use just Mulberries and other dried berries, but Dates are stickier and have the perfect sweetness)

How To:
Basically, you just chuck it all in and switch that thing on. I like to add two dates at a time and blend, add another two and so forth until you have the right sticky/crumbly texture.
Start with the Oats and add Mulberries then add all the other ingredients and 2 dates.
Blend. Add another two dates.... Until done! You might have to give the jug a shake ever so often.

I hope you enjoy! And don't eat it all at once ;)