Mermaid's Tears

Mermaid's Tears

May 3, 2019

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When you spend time admiring the ocean, and all the creatures that call it home, you discover how important it is to do everything you can to protect the magical depths of the deep blue sea. 

Education is key to preserving our oceans. Education for me and the ocean started at age 7 and never stopped. I cherished the time I have spent in Maui among surfers and mermaids, who spend majority of their lives soaking up rays in the salt water appreciating nature. 

There are some small things you can do to help preserve the ocean and all it's groovy magic. 

1. Use Reef Safe Sunscreen - Sunscreen chemicals are TOXIC to coral reefs! Avoid sunscreens with chemical oxybenzone. The effects of oxybenzone on our fragile ecosystem should not be ignored. Have you ever heard of coral bleaching? It's not pretty. 

2. Don't Throw Garbage in the Sea - This one is pretty straight forward. Would you appreciate someone leaving litter in your home? Reduce, Reuse, Recycle my friends. 

3. Make Safe, Sustainable Seafood Choices - Global fish populations are rapidly being depleted due to demand, loss of habitat, and unsustainable fishing practices. Assist in reducing the demand for an over-exploited species by choosing seafood that sustainable and eco-friendly.

4. Don't Purchase Items that Exploit Sealife - I see that super cute coral necklace and tortoiseshell bracelet. They are definitely beautiful, but that's because they came from our gorgeous Mother Nature. Admire from afar, and do not contribute to the exploitation of marine life populations and coral reefs. 

5. Choose to be a Anti Single Use Plastics Connoisseur - Opt out of using plastic straws, plastic bags, plastic water bottles.. there's always an easier option. We just tend to float towards the more convenient option. So much single use plastics end up in our oceans. Treat yourself to a chic crochet grocery bag, or stainless steel straws. You'll feel great, and look fabulous. 

Arm the Animals

Arm the Animals

June 27, 2018

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Arm the Animals is the tee shirt designs for animal activism that we were all waiting for. 

Their tees are cute, but powerful. Trendy, but makes you think about your actions. There is no reason why you cannot rock a good cause wearing a super cool tee, it doesn't have to be graphic to get attention! I actually love how fashion forward these tees are. They fit right into any Instagram aesthetic, and definitely have the power to encourage positive conversations about animal welfare.   

The reasons why I love these tees are endless, so is the amount of amazing tees available. Their mission is to raise awareness and funds while providing stellar support for animal welfare organizations. 

Check out their website : https://www.armtheanimals.com/

I styled two tee shirts into two completely different outfits (one super casual, one more dressed up), which you can see below. ATA makes it super easy to incorporate activism and fashion. 

We Need Elephants Tee
The Nite King Tee (It's on sale!)

Love Your Mother Earth

Love Your Mother Earth

May 8, 2018

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Earth Day is important.

But let's be real for a hot second - our Mother Earth is important every day.

We take advantage of the resources, and natural wonders of our world. Not only are we affecting the climate, we are affecting the animal kingdom as a whole.

Our impact on the planet is catastrophic. Climate change IS real. The time is now to start trying to save the planet.

There are small things you can do each and every day to lessen your footprint :

1. Walk to work or take public transportation as often as you can. I started walking to work everyday, and I love it!
2. Have meat-free days or try being a vegetarian (the meat industry impacts the planet more than you think!)
3. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle - I remember talking garbage cans in elementary school taught me the importance of RRR - implement into your day to day life!
4. Go waste free. It's hard. But you can do it! It can be as simple as not using plastic bags for your product and taking reusable grocery bags to the market
5. Reject all straws. That's right. STRAWS. They may be small but they add up. Imagine how many people in front of you in line are getting beverages with straws? All that plastic waste ends up somewhere. I will link some reusable straws below. 

There are many things you can do to create a difference. It just takes a moment of asking yourself "is this good for the environment?". Remember - being GREEN is sexy. 

Green is Sexy Shopping List : 

Stainless Steel Straw

Reusable Net Market Bag (Very Parisian Chic)

These photos were taken in Moncton, New Brunswick. The turtle behind me was made entirely of plastic waste (approximately one TON) and was designed to bring awareness to environmental awareness and the local endangered wood turtle. Go visit this art installation and take some selfies! It's located on Assumption Blvd., behind the Starving Artist Cafe. 

Jacket : Vintage (stolen from my Mother's closet)
Tee : H&M
Skirt : Zara
Sneakers/Trainers : Fila from Costco

DIY Rosewater Toner

DIY Rosewater Toner

April 10, 2018

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It can take years to find something that works well for your skin. I am almost 30, and it has taken me years to find out what really works for me. 

99.9% of products I use on my face are handmade, vegan and all natural. 

I enjoy making my own scrubs and soaps and will be sharing all my personal recipes for beauty here on The Brunette Shake. 

This past weekend I spent some time making my rose water. It's super easy and only has 3 ingredients (sometimes 4). 

1. Three cups of rose petals 

2. Three cups of water

3. Teaspoon of witch hazel oil (and/or rosehip oil or any oil you may LOVE for your skin)

You boil the water and rose petals for about 7 minutes. After it boils I like to let it steep for about 15 minutes, sometimes even 30 minutes if I forget about it and get distracted. 

Drain the mixture

Add witch hazel

Pour your mixture into mason jars. 

Ta da! 

Ces't fini. It's that easy! This DIY toner has worked well on my skin for years. There are so many variations of rose water, you can even add vodka (which works really well if you have oily skin)

Love Letters | Paperless Post

Love Letters | Paperless Post

March 7, 2018

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Unique and abstract photography is one of my favourite things. I love to frame black and white photos and display them in different coloured frames all around my home. I am inspired by nature, fashion and happiness. By happiness, I mean photos filled with laughter and love. 

I enjoy making use of my photos by creating unique invitations and cards, or crafting with decoupage. Licking a stamp, and popping a card into the mailbox is one of my favourite things to do. 

I have always been a fan of mail that makes people happy. A fun card, a beautifully written anecdote.. I know that when they receive the card it makes them smile. 

People are always connected. Connected to their laptops, tablets and smart phones. This makes it easy to contact via text message - but why not email a sweet card? It's quick, easy and you have so many colourful options for every occasion or celebration. This is also an environmentally friendly way to send cards/invites/save the dates to your loved ones!   

Paperless Post has the most gorgeous options from a variety of designers. Kate Spade, Oscar de la Renta, Sugar Paper and Mr. Boddington's Studio... You can send Thank You cards, Wedding Invitations, Cocktail Party invites - and so much more. I have at least 50 cards "saved" for a rainy day, to send for my upcoming 30th birthday, my future baby shower. Basically, if you can imagine it you can find it on Paperless Post.

Check out some of my favourite cards below from my collaboration with Paperless Post

Sweet Spot Labs | It's a girl thing...

Sweet Spot Labs | It's a girl thing...

March 7, 2017

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Hey sugar! 

I've spent the past month using Sweet Spot Lab's Vanilla Blossom gentle wash so that I could properly review it with my 100% honest opinion (as per usual!). I love natural and girly products, so this was fun and super interesting for me to try out. 

If you want to keep things short and sweet (pun intended), I'm in love. You need this. Go buy it. 

If you want an in depth review, I gotcha sister. Feminine products are sometimes seen as "embarrassing" or something that should be kept private. Sweet Spot Labs is all about being fun and fearless. I really admire the powerhouse women who created these wonderful pH balanced skincare products for all us ladies! I had a chance to use the Vanilla Blossom gentle wash before and after a wax, as well as after the gym and casually during the week as well. I don't think I could possible go back to not using them! They keep your sweet spot, well... sweet! They also carry super cute little "to-go" wipes which are amazing to throw into your purse, or if you're going away on a quick trip. The stuff smells amazing, is 97% natural and doesn't irritate your skin! I have very sensitive skin, and  I didn't get any redness, itchiness or anything negative at all. 

You can purchase them at the following retailers: 

Sweet Spot Labs Website

Shoppers Drug Mart stores

Target
Sugarmoon Salons (Toronto, ON locations)

Well.ca 

Oh! And one more thing - they're cruelty free!

@sweetspotlabs 

#finfree

#finfree

July 30, 2014

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There's nothing I love more than when Lush e-mail pops up in my inbox and it is regarding something I am already passionate about!

 

Lush Cosmetics has partnered with Discovery Channel's Shark Week, Sharkwater filmmaker Rob Stewart and his organization, United Conservationists, to raise awareness for sharks and stop the unnecessary slaughter for their fins. Rob Stewart has a wonderful film called Shark Water. I have watched it several times, and it really makes you appreciate the beauty of sharks. Check out part Rob's story at the end of this post and join #finfree movement by signing the petition and by purchasing Lush's limited edition Shark Fin soap.

The Shark Fin soap is made of softening seaweed, scrubby fine sea salt and zesty lime oil that make it a refreshing way to cool down this summer. 100% of the price of this soap will be donated to United Conservationists, a non-profit organization dedicated to the protection and conservation of sharks through its Fin Free movement. Now you can swim with the sharks and help protect them too!

 

The Brunette Shake is definately going to support this effort. Remember, Green is Sexy! Be kind to the environment and animals...

 

xx

Hillary

 

 

 

"In August 1999, I was a 19-year-old photographer embarking on my most exciting photo assignment yet: to photograph my favorite species, Hammerhead Sharks, in the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador. As a “fish nerd” I spent as much time with sharks as possible, and grew to understand a very different side of sharks compared to conventional media. To me they were shy, inquisitive, sensitive and important. Being the first animal on earth with jaws, and the only large animal to have endured for 450 million years and five mass extinctions, they’re a huge part of the framework for life in the oceans. Life that gives us most of the oxygen we breathe.

Upon arriving in the Galapagos Islands, instead of finding sharks in all their majesty in the most protected marine reserve on earth, I encountered a fishing line that could stretch from earth to outer space, with thousands of baited hooks and hundreds of dead and dying sharks.
Shark fin soup is a Chinese delicacy so desirable that a single pound of shark fin can sell for more than $400 USD, leading to the practice of finning: keeping only the fins and discarding the bodies, which wastes 95% of the animal. This demand slaughters 100 million sharks each year, decimating 90% of the world’s sharks within my lifetime."