Mail of the Week (September 12 - 16)

PETA's cruelty-free shopping guide: I've always been on the fence regarding the subject of animal testing, but I'm ashamed to say that I've always been too lazy to properly "attack" the matter. Of course I'm strongly against animal testing - and I thought it was strange for me to be vegetarian but still "support" animal testing. Now that I've successfully made the switch to a strict vegetarian diet, I thought, why not? It has not been hard at all for me to quit meat as I absolutely hated the taste anyway - the hardest part at first was to make sure I had an healthy diet, but there's plenty of resources on the Internet and now I feel so dumb for not going vegetarian sooner!

I decided to order PETA's cruelty-free shopping guide because it was getting pretty annoying to always have to go on the Internet to make sure a product was not tested on animals before buying it. With this guide, everything is easier! I have downloaded the PDF version on my phone and I keep the paper version in my handbag.

With the guide also came interesting papers with more info regarding animal testing and cute stickers. Now of course I won't just throw away the products I have already purchased that are not cruelty-free (that would be stupid and a huge waste of money), but you can be sure I won't repurchase any and from now on, I won't accept products to review that are not cruelty-free.

Seriously, think about it - would you like your cat, dog, rat or rabbit to be trapped in a laboratory with electrodes implanted in their brain and screaming in terror as they have chemical pumped into their stomach? Thinking about this made me cry - what about you?

Kushyfoot products: This package was such a nice surprise after a long day at school! I was recently contacted by a PR firm on behalf of Kushyfoot legwear which I have never heard of before, and I wasn't expecting a package so quickly! Here's what I was very kindly sent:

• Flats To Go in Black
• Super Ultra Low Cut Foot Covers in Black
• Lace Foot Covers in Pink

October 2011 issue of Cosmopolitan

♥Danza Kuduro - Don Omar ft. Lucenzo

Mail of the Week (July 11 - 15)

My prize from Minnie's giveaway: I was extremely lucky to win a selection of MAC products of my choice from Minnie! I just couldn't believe it when she announced me as the winner of her amazing giveaway, as I could never afford MAC products with my tight University student budget. Here's what I received:

• Crème Cup Cremesheen Lipstick (light blue pink)
• Fleur Power Powder Blush (soft bright pinkish-coral)
• Bronze Eye Shadow (gold brown with gold-bronze shimmer)
• Ebony Eye Pencil (soft black)
• Just Superb Cremesheen Glass (dirty neutral pink)

L - R: Fleur Power, Bronze, Ebony, Just Superb, Crème Cup

Thank you sooooo much Minnie!!!

My prize from Catherine's giveaway: When Catherine featured this cute Vaseline tin in one of her recent haul posts, I was so sad that we don't have Superdrugs here in Quebec! I haven't even found the little tins anywhere neither. So she kindly decided to host a giveaway and I was one of the three lucky winners! Here's what I received:

• Vaseline storage tin
• Vaseline Lip Therapy 
• Vaseline Lip Therapy Rosy Lips with Rose and Almond Oil
• Vaseline Lip Therapy with Cocoa Butter
• Vaseline Lip Therapy with Aloe Vera
• Swizzels Maltow Double Dip Orange and Cherry
• Love Hearts

Thank you Catherine! =D

New Jergens Naturals Aloe Soothing Body Moisturizer with Cucumber: I was given the opportunity to try and review this new moisturizer from Jergens. I was happily surprised to learn that this range is cruelty-free (or are all Jergens products cruelty-free?) and it is also made with 94% natural ingredients. I'm curious to see how it will help with my eczema.

My Apothica order: I placed my order on July 6, it was shipped on July 7 and I received it the next Monday, July 11 - talk about fast delivery! Here's what I ordered:

• Too Faced Leopard Love Complexion Perfection Kit
• XEN-TAN Deep Bronze Instant Self-Tan 
• Avène Cicalfate Restorative Skin Cream

With every Apothica order you make come some samples. This time I received a sample of The Art of Shaving Pre-Shave Oil and some band-aids in a very handy little Avène packaging to keep in my handbag.

peta2's I am Not a Nugget Leggings: The moment I saw these leggings featuring the cute Nugget, I knew I had to have them and didn't hesitate to redeem 7000 Street Team points for a pair. These leggings are claimed to be comfy and made of a thicker material than most other leggings on the market, but I was a little disappointed when I tried them on. I ordered them in Small but they are a little loose and not as fitting as I thought they would be, and they also didn't really appear to be especially warm.

PETA's Vegan College Cookbook: I hesitated a long time before ordering this book because from the reviews I read on the net, it seemed like a very average cookbook because some of the recipes aren't even recipes (like grilled cheese, salsa, etc). I decided to order it anyway because it was free (it "costed" me 8000 Street Team points) but it's available in the PETA catalog for $14.99. I received it today so I haven't had the time to properly read it yet, but I'm very eager to try those recipes!

August 2011 issue of Cosmopolitan

August 2011 issue of Glamour

♥ What Them Girls At - David Guetta ft. Nicki Minaj, Flo Rida

Feather Hair Extensions: A Trend Worth Killing For?

Rooster feathers look best on their rightful owners, but the strange trend of feather hair extensions is on the rise. To obtain the feathers (which are traditionally used as fishing lures), roosters are typically confined for 30 weeks—the majority of their short lives—in tiny, stacked cages inside deafeningly loud barns before they are killed and skinned.

The owner of Whiting Farms in Delta, Colorado—one of the largest feather farms in the U.S.—described the cruel conditions in which he keeps roosters:

[We're] sentencing [each rooster] to a solitary cage for the last 6 months, with nothing to look at or listen to other than lots of other confined roosters ... [y]our sentiments can quickly shift from wanting to evaluate their necks to wringing [t]hem. Some of my most sheepish moments in life have been after hurling an especially bad rooster across the barn in utter frustration ....

Would you support the slaughter of thousands of animals each week just so that you could jump on board with the latest fashion trend? That's exactly what you are doing when you purchase feather hair extensions for your locks.

Upon first glance, feather hair extensions might seem innocent enough, but they are in fact the reason that many roosters lose their lives. Roosters used to make these extensions are bred and genetically altered to produce long, luxurious saddle feathers (the ones on their backsides, which can take years to grow) before they are killed and de-feathered for their precious plumage. What costs these animals their lives in turn costs anywhere from $40 to $500 per saddle and can only be worn by the consumer for a scant two or three months.

Fortunately, you don't need blood on your hands in order to strut your stuff like a peacock (if you're into that): check out PETA's DIY ribbon version of these accessories, and be sure to have a look at Sarah's Etsy store for some super pretty feather-inspired vegan hair extensions.

Source: Feather Hair Extensions: A Trend Worth Killing For? and Fashion Fad Is Fatal To Roosters
Pictures are from We Heart It and Google Images

Mail of the Week (March 7 - 11)

Products to review from Reviva Labs: I have never heard of this brand before so when they approached me to review some of their products, I was curious. Here are the products I received:

• Makeup Primer
• High Potency Collagen Serum

My purchase from Emma's blog sale: I always love to browse blog sales to find products that aren't available in Canada. Here's what I got from Emma:

• Natural Collection Moisture Shine Lipstick in Pink Mallow
• Barry M Lip Paint in touch of Magic
• Barry M Lip Liner in 13

I'll write a proper post about these products so stay tuned!

My purchase from Tiffany blog sale: I'm glad I got some great things from her!

• MAC Peachstock 
• Barry M Lip Paint in Dolly Pink

Swatches in an upcoming post!

Crystal Light Pure samples: I love them so much, I have actually already wrote a post about these here!

April issue of Glamour: That dress is gorgeous!

PETA Vegetarian/Vegan Starter Kit: Order yours for free here.

 And that's not all! I still have to go pick up three parcels at the post office! These will be featured in my next mail post.

Mail of the Week (February 28 - March 4)

My prize from Adrienne's giveaway: I was lucky enough to win the 2nd prize of her giveaway, which consists of some LUSH goodies:

• Space Girl Bath Bomb
• Mandarin's Tea Party Soap
• The Ex Factor Bath Bomb

Adrienne also included some yummy Mingles, which I have never tasted before. I have never tried any of those products before, so I'm very excited! Thank you very much Adrienne, I can't wait to have a bath now!

PETA Vegan Lip Balms: I redeemed 13000 Peta2 Street Team points for these cute PETA Vegan Lip Balms. I got them in the following flavors:

• "PETA Compassion" Fruit
• "No S'more Animal Testing" S'mores
• "Animals Out of the Act" Tangerine

I have started using "No S'more Animal Testing" S'mores and it instantly melts when in contact with the lips, leaving them incredibly glossy - just like if I was wearing a lipgloss!

My prize from Apothica's DuWop contest: Apothica recently held a contest in which we had to talk about DuWop in a blog post, and this post made me win! Here's what I won:

• Private Red Lipstick
• Lip Venom Lip Plumper
• Crush Heavy Metal Metallic Eyeshadow in 18 Carat
• Keep Blushing Water-Resistant Blush in Peach
• $25 Apothica Gift Card

I have never tried anything from DuWop so I'm super excited, especially about the Lip Venom!

April issue of Fashion magazine: My subscription expired in February, but this is the second time they send me another issue! This one came without a letter though... just to be sure it hasn't been renewed automatically, I checked my account on the website but it's actually expired... strange...

Samples of Biotherm Skin.Ergetic Day and Night Creams: I got these through Facebook, but the offer is sadly not available anymore. However, you can still enter Trip.Ergetic contest to be automatically entered for a chance to win a free full-sized Skin.Ergetic Serum as well as an energizing getaway with 3 friends.

Samples from Four O'clock tea: I absolutey don't remember participating in MemorTeas, but it appears to be why I received some samples. Here is the selection of tea I was sent:

• Fair Trade Chocolate Spice
• Fair Trade Licorice Spice
• Fair Trade White Tea Chai
• Fare Trade Earl Grey
• Mint Chai Herbal Tea Fairtrade
• Green Tea

Peta2 "Cut Class, Not Frogs!" Shirt

A while back ago (in November, actually), I redeemed 13500 Peta2 Street Team points for another shirt (I showed you the first one I got here). This one is very summery and cute:

Description from PETA Catalog:

Our updated classic 'Cut Class Not Frogs' is made in the U.S.A. by American Apparel and is available in standard and fitted sizes.

• The sunshine fitted T-shirt is 100% sheer Jersey cotton construction.
• Baby rib cotton stretchable collar for increased comfort and durability
• Flattering, stylish fit on virtually any body type
• Reinforced shoulder construction to maintain shape through repeated washings
• Durable double-stitched bottom hem
• Machine wash cold with cruelty-free detergent
• Tumble dry low

I ordered it in Girly Small and it fits nicely. However, I'm not too sure about the collar. I would have prefered a deeper v-neck. The color didn't come out very well because of the poor lightning, but it's more of a "sunny" yellow.

This shirt (along with the others redeemable with Street Team points) are also available to buy in the PETA catalog for $20, which is quite a great deal in my opinion. But hey, why pay when you can get if for free while helping animals?

 Join Peta2's Street Team to earn free shirts, pins, and other merchandise for helping animals! It's all FREE!

Dying for a cup of tea?

Before taking your next sip of tea, check the label on the tea box or bottle because you might discover that you are drinking a cupful of cruelty to animals. The company behind Lipton teas has been testing (and paying others to test) tea—a beverage that has been consumed for thousands of years—on animals. The tea giant has caused animals to suffer and die simply to make health claims about its tea products and ingredients. Not one of the experiments that the company conducted was legally required for beverage makers, and regulators have stated that animal tests are not sufficient to prove a health claim about a product. 

In these cruel and painful tests, rabbits, mice, rats, and piglets were tortured and then killed by decapitation and suffocation, among other methods. Following are more of the horrific details about what happened to the animals who were used in the company's experiments:

• Rabbits were fed a high-fat, cholesterol-laden diet, leading to extreme hardening of the arteries. They were then fed tea to see if it could reduce the lesions that formed on the animals' arteries. After the experiment, the rabbits' heads were cut off.
• Mice bred to suffer from a painful bowel inflammation were fed tea ingredients in order to see if the tea had any effect on their condition. After the test, experimenters killed the mice by suffocating them or breaking their necks.
• Rats were forced to eat a high-sugar diet, and then tea was given to the animals to see if it could protect against sugar-induced brain damage. Other rats had their abdominal wall punctured and were fed radioactively labeled tea ingredients through a tube in their stomachs in order to examine the absorption of tea in the body. Then they were killed, frozen with liquid nitrogen, and crushed.
• Piglets were exposed to E. coli toxin and then fed tea in order to see if the tea could prevent fluid loss and diarrhea. As part of the tests, experimenters cut the pigs' intestines apart while the animals were still alive. The piglets were then killed.

Modern, cruelty-free research methods are available and in use by other leading beverage companies around the world. We need YOU to join us in telling the makers of Lipton to ditch its crueltea to animals and use non-animal methods instead.

Please take a moment to ask the makers of Lipton tea to stop this cruelty and join Honest Tea, Twinings, Stash Tea, Luzianne Tea, and other companies that don't experiment on animals.

Text from Peta2.com and images from Peta2.com and Google Images.

Dying for UGGs?‏

UGGs. We hate 'em. They are not only UGGly but also cruel.

UGG boots are made of sheepskin (yep, someone's skin, people!). The sheep who are killed for UGGs are often Merino sheep—just like Pete (pictured here). Every year, millions of sheep are castrated, have their tails cut off, and have their horns hot-branded. Once sheep are no longer needed in the sheepskin industry, they are shot or have their throats slit—all for the sake of a pair of boots.

Every purchase of UGG boots supports extreme cruelty to animals—not to mention that wearing someone's dead skin is just gross. With so many cute and cruelty-free options available, there's no reason to wear the skin of an abused animal.

Take a stand against UGGs! Fill out this form to pledge never to wear UGG boots, and let your friends know that they can help sheep, too, by buying cruelty-free boots and never buying wool.

Text from Peta2.com and images from Peta2.com and Google Images.

November 26 is Fur-Free Friday!

Every year, millions of rabbits, minks, dogs, cats, and other animals are bludgeoned, gassed, anally or vaginally electrocuted, and sometimes even skinned alive—just to be made into coats, bags, and other accessories that no one needs.

November 26 is Fur-Free Friday, a worldwide day of action against the fur industry.

 

What's wrong with fur?

Life on a fur farm ain't no life at all for all the cute critters forced to live there.

Animals bred and raised on fur farms spend their entire lives in cramped, filthy wire cages. They are denied proper shelter and clean water, and they can't do any of the things that come naturally to them—such as climbing, burrowing, and swimming. They endure fear and stress and often suffer from disease, parasite infestations, and other physical and psychological hardships, all for the sake of an unnecessary industry that makes billions of dollars annually.

In the U.S., no federal humane slaughter law protects animals on fur factory farms, so animals are killed in the cruelest ways possible in order to save money and keep their skins in one piece. Many have their skulls bashed in or their necks broken, and others are anally or vaginally electrocuted.

Contrary to fur-industry propaganda, fur production destroys the environment. Producing a real fur coat from the skins of ranch-raised animals takes a heap more energy than that needed to produce a fake-fur garment. Real fur isn't biodegradable, either, thanks to the chemicals used to stop the fur from rotting. These chemicals can also contaminate local water supplies.

Simply put, fur ain't no good for animals or the planet!

Please don't wear fur!

Pictures, videos and text from PETA.com and Peta2.com

Mail of the week (September 27 - October 1)

Books from eHarlquin: I received:

• Burning Up, by Susan Anderson
• Into The Wild, by Beth Ciotta
• Breathless, by Anne Stuart
• Whisper of Scandal, by Nicola Gornick

 October 2010 issue of Cosmopolitan

Package from PETA

Free Gooseberry Patch Fall Favorites Cookbook with Sun-Maid® Raisins & Dried Fruit: Get yours here (US and Canada only)

"Hug a Vegetarian Day" is September 24!

Start the countdown! "Hug a Vegetarian" Day is Friday, September 24. Are you ready to hug it up?

This year, the vegetarian hug-fest will be bigger, better, and more huggable than ever before—so be sure to RSVP to our Facebook event now!

We have tons of surprises lined up throughout the month (hint: they'll make you SoSoHappy), and to get you all ready for the big day, we want to send you a FREE action pack full of stuff to give out to your friends—including our brand-new, ridiculously cute stickers (check them out on the right!) AND our awesome "Save 100 Animals" leaflets. Everyone will want to snag a sticker and leaflet from you!

ORDER NOW!

This offer is only available to U.S. and Canadian residents.

 

From Peta2.com