Sundance Kid

A double sigh for the two lovely men who created and starred in one of my all-time favorite films: the late, great Paul Newman and the wonderful Mr. Robert Redford of Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid fame.

Long Time No Post

Yeah, sorry 'bout that. Along with being busy with several different projects and chores clinging to my ankles (preparing the garden for April planting {I hereby promise pictures shortly}, baking some goodies with the kiddos {Elvis' favorite pound cake}, doing a bit of spring cleaning, trying to get a head start on my next papers, trying to have a romantic and social life), I've also just been trying to vegetate. After that 30-page paper of mine my brain was fried.

But the weekend included several trips to the pool (great for letting the kiddies blow off some steam and great for startin' ma tan), lots of fun sleepovers and playdates (am I the only mom who hates that word? When I was a kid we used to just "play" - now it's all about the schedule of things... *sigh*), and generally just enjoying the lovely sunshine and time with family.

Alongside all of this, I've been doing a lot of soul searching, too. Mostly this consists of trying to define and solidify who I am, which in turn consists of finding out what I do and don't like and allowing room for changes. I seem to have a lot of interests that really don't fit well together and I think this is what creates the dissonance inside for me. It's really quite frustrating, actually. Thus the soul searching. I am trying to find out who I am. But I also believe that this is a lifelong persuit, it's not an event and it's not something that only takes place in one's youth. I believe that if a person isn't constantly evolving (with certain values, etc. as pillars that are mainstays) then they aren't being honest with themselves, or at the very least are missing out on life. As Socrates once said, "The unexamined life is not worth living." And I agree.

So here's to all of us. To the search, the path, the changes, and the growth. As long as I (and we) are honest with my- ourselves, we really can't go wrong. At least I believe this to be true.

Miss Audrey Tautou

Grind

The late, great Layne Staley.

Beautify Ethically

As someone who abstains from purchasing and using any product that is either made from or tested on animals as well as being a girl who likes her beauty products, I thought I'd give a list of some of my favorites that I highly recommend.

Aside from the animal-friendly benefit (very important!), these products frequent my shelves because they're also of good quality.

First up from Aubrey Organics is Honeysuckle Rose Moisturizing shampoo and conditioner. First off, I love, love, love the scent, and since I heat-style my hair, I need the extra moisturizing components this shampoo and conditioner set offers.

Next up from Bare Escentuals is, well, pretty much everything! I love the foundation with the SPF15, I love all their eyeshadows, blushes, and lip products. The only thing you have to avoid if you're 100% vegan is the red-dyed products as they use cochineal. But other than those, it's all animal-product free and 100% NOT tested on animals! Yay!

Finally is Dr. Bronners' Magic Rose Soap. And let me just say that it is magical! This soap, probably unlike any other kind you've used or heard of, can be literally and truly (I know this from experience, folks!) be used as a body soap, TOOTHPASTE, dishwashing detergent, laundry detergent, household cleanser, and more. There are all different scents and even some new products in their line which wern't around when I started using Dr.'s years and years ago.

Hope you enjoy trying some (or all!) of these nifty products out for yourself and your family. Two thumbs up from me!