I freaking hate shaving bumps!

It is inevitable: within two-three hours of shaving the coarse stubbly hairs that Mother Nature has so lovingly bestowed upon my legs and bikini area, I will develop an onslaught of red, swollen, zit-like, bumps upon every single offended hair follicle of shorn skin (OK, I exaggerate, but not much!) Just lovely - as if I didn't have enough to deal with having the darkest, coarsest hair possible growing out of the palest, most sensitive skin possible. I have struggled for years to find a solution to shaving rash and was beginning to think that the only remedy was to simply get completley hippie and let my hair grow out... until I received a small sample vial of Tend Skin Liquid from a friend who had recently had a waxing and was not in need of said product because she was apparently blessed with perfect skin... grrrr. I gave Tend Skin a whirl during a particularly painful episode of shaving rash and was absolutley stunned by the almost immediate results: fewer bumps, lesseing of redness, and decrease in itchiness and swelling! Needless to say, I IMMEDIATELY hopped on the internet and began my search for the biggest bottle of Tend Skin Liquid that I could find, when I happened upon a competitor product of the same genre called MiN New York Solution2 Razor Bump Rollerball Treatment. I decided upon the purchase of MiN product because of the innovative rollerball dispensing mechanism (think of those cheap perfumes we had as young girls in the late 70s) which proved to be much easier and less messy to use than Tend Skin Liquid. The MiN solution consists of mostly the same ingredients as Tend Skin Liquid, but I found MiN to be much more pleasant smelling due to its use of Organic Spearmint. MiN New York Razor Bump Treatment cleans and disinfects the skin of bacteria, thus helping to prevent razor bumps, acne, and blemishes and the liquid aspirin is the reason for reduction in swelling, redness, and irritation after shaving. Another nice, and environmentally friendly, perk of the MiN product is that the Rollerball Treatment bottle is refillable with MiN New York's large bottle of Razor Bump Treatment. Overall, I would say that, in my humble opinion, this product is about as good as one can get to help offset the irritating side effects of having exceptionally sensitive skin in an unforgiving world obsessed with perfection and hairlesslessness.

Please stop by my Etsy shop, BowerbirdDesign, for quirky, retro, and nature-inspired jewelry!

An Homage to Easter Bunnies... albeit in a rather macabre way...

Ah, kitty cats: so cute and cuddly, and, yet, so sassy and aloof. To know a kitty is to love its unique personality and quirks... to not be offended when, one moment, they are 'le purring' (as my husband calls it) lovingly amidst your gentle caresses of their silky fur, and the next, they are trying to test the strength of their newly shorn claws against your fragile dermis. Winston Churchill famously stated: "A cat will look down on a man. A dog will look up to a man..." That about sums it up, wouldn't you fellow cat owners agree? Cats are a joy and I don't wholly trust anyone who doesn't appreciate their loving and independent spirit. With this independence comes a tendency for finicky eating habits and, after having tested every single soft/wet food available (I may exaggerate a tad) on my beloved whiskery pets - Gandalf, Squeakers, and Pumpkin - I have discovered a universal favourite! And, what a perfect time - Easter - to blog upon said favourite soft/wet kitty food: Instinct Rabbit Formula, a canned food that is grain free and made of 95% rabbit meat and rabbit liver. In order to supplement my cats' diet, I feed them a small portion of Instinct Rabbit Formula each day as a treat. They love the Rabbit so much that they will wait in anticipation for hours in the customary feeding spot. It really makes sense that cats are bonkers for Rabbit food since most feral cats and cats left to the outdoors will fell many a bunny - a sad site that I viewed many times at the paws of the family pet, Midnight, I had as a child... Instinct Rabbit Formula is a much less traumatic and more environmentally friendly way of appeasing the mighty cougar that lies within your house cat - try giving it to your cat as a treat and then, perhaps, move up to feeding them a can every few days (it is a bit pricey - about $1.89/can here in Austin, TX.) Your cats will most certainly give you kitty props and, as thanks, may forgo their previous intentions of vomiting a mondo hairball on your pillow ;-)

Pup-tastic toys to add to your best friend's bower...

All dogs are obviously not made alike and different pup personalities can make for very specific toy preferences. We have two terriers, an Airedale and a Kerry Blue, and they are full of the famous 'terrier-tude' which means they are smart, sassy, and full o' energy, most of which is directed at toys. My Airedale, Twiggy, prefers large, chewable, and squeaky toys and my Kerry Blue, Thompson, prefers small, bouncy, and throwable toys. Needless to say, my husband and I have run the gamut when it comes to toy purchases and have regularly experienced the frustration of presenting the dogs with a sparkly, squeaky, new, pup toy, only to have them examine it, sniff it, and then run off to retrieve an old, barely distinguishable, flip-flop. However, we have found, through extensive trial and error, that our dogs mutually agree and give their pawprint of approval upon the fun and stimulation factor of three particular toys:


1) Kong Dental Stuff-A-Ball: First of all, major props to the entire line of Kong toys as our dogs generally adore every single one of them. All Kong rubber toys are crafted from a super-bouncy, durable, natural, rubber compound that can withstand rigorous playtime and chewing. Plus, each toy type comes in a range of sizes to suit the size of your dog. The Dental 'Stuff-A-Ball' has been the biggest hit for both of our dogs for two years running, mostly because of three things:

a) the 'Stuff-A-Ball' is equipped with 'Dental Ridges' which perforate all sides of the toy, allowing for cleaning of teeth and massaging of gums - apparently very enjoyable for pups as both of ours spend a lot of time chewing on the 'Stuff-A-Ball!'

b) the 'Stuff-A-Ball' can't be beat for games of catch with your pup because it is lightweight and bounces in an unpredictable fashion, the former of which make for excellent aerodynamics (and a curiosity-arousing whistling sound via those 'Dental Ridges') and the latter of which provides mental stimulation

c) as the name implies, the 'Stuff-A-Ball' can be filled with any manner of treats via the hollow center, thus rendering it a puzzle toy. Our dogs have spent many hours nudging the Kong around on the ground and picking it up and dropping it in order to release the treats within - superb for providing much needed canine mental stimulation.

2) Kong Dental Jump'N Jack: The Jump 'N Jack is excellent for all of the same reasons as the 'Stuff-A-Ball:' natural rubber, durable, bouncy, lightweight, equipped with 'Dental Ridges,' and treat-stuffable. I find that the best way to up the tastiness factor of the Jump 'N Jack is not via stuffed treats, but, rather, via Kong Stuff'N Paste which is basically meaty-flavored, dog-friendly 'Spray/Easy Cheese' - there is a breath freshening Stuff'N Paste which our dogs go bonkers for and has the benefit of diminishing doggy breath... brilliant! The best feature of the Jump'N Jack is that it is VERY erratically bouncy which stimulates to the very fullest the hunt, chase, and pounce canine instincts. Simply a wonderful, wonderful dog toy!

3) Ethical Pet - Spot Pup Treads Rubber Tire: OK, you MUST buy one of these if you have an aggressive chewer like my Airedale, Twiggy! By far, this has been the best dog toy purchase I have made for her. First of all, they are shaped like truck tires and, when playing catch, the bouncing and rolling action of the Pup Treads Tire creates heightened levels of pup excitement and mental stimulation. Secondly, the Pup Treads Tire has both raised bumps and nylon flossing fibers which help to clean teeth and massage gums during chew-chew fests. Lastly, Pup Treads Tires are made of recycled materials and are EXCEEDINGLY tough and durable - my Twiggy, who can chew through and engorge ham bones in 10 minutes, has made nary a dent on the Pup Treads Tire!

Try adding one of these dog toys to your pup's bower - they will most certainly bark in approval!

Nature...all around you...everyday

Delectable and glorious hair care products...

I have had long, straight hair for the majority of my 33 years on this planet, and this lack of a 'hairstyle,' per se, yielded in my mind the thought that I need not worry about the quality of haircare products. I was a 'Suave Honeysuckle Essence Shampoo' girl as a teen and a 'whatever-is-on-cheap-or-on-sale-shampoo' woman up until about four years ago. On my 30th birthday, I decided to celebrate the occasion by visiting a posh salon and changing up my do a bit with some layering and bangs. The hairstylist in charge informed me that my hair was very stripped, dry, and split, likely due to my use of cheap product for so many years. She suggested that I should buy some of the Tigi line of products being used and offered for sale at their salon and available at many departments and grocery stores. Being intensely skeptical, I decided I would wait until the outcome of my appointment to see how my hair felt and moved before succumbing to her up selling. Upon being spun around to view the 'new me,' I was instantly sold on Tigi products: my hair smelled delicious; had body, bounce, and shine; and looked healthy - all without feeling like there was a single haircare product on my superbly styled locks! Ever since this day, I have willingly and happily put forth the extra money for four Tigi products that I cannot live without:

1) Tigi Bedhead Brunette Goddess Shampoo/Conditioner - Warning: this shampoo and conditioner will give you intense cravings for cake and candy due to its AMAZINGLY delicious, and intensely fragrant, almond scent!!! This fantastic shampoo also leaves hair smooth and shiny and has sunflower extracts to protect against UV rays. Also, even after using Brunette Goddess Shampoo for almost two years, I have never experienced any build-up or dulling effects that one gets after repeated usage of other shampoos and conditioners. Importantly, though, I do not use the Brunette Goddess Conditioner every time I wash my hair, as I prefer to change up what I use as a conditioning agent with the following two Tigi products


2) Tigi Catwalk Fashionista Smooth & Sine, Heat and Iron Safe - This product leaves your hair brilliantly shiny, all whilst creating a protective barrier against blow drying, ironing, and UV rays. Smooth & Shine can be used in wet or dry hair - I apply it in my just-washed hair and use it as a leave-in conditioner. As per usual with Tigi products, Smooth & Shine smells fantastic, almost like grape bubble gum.







3) Tigi Bedhead Ego Boost Split End Mender & Leave-in Conditioner - Amazingly effective product which leaves hair shiny, strong, and elastic. I apply it either all over my just-washed hair if I haven't conditioned with either of the two previously mentioned Tigi products, or simply on damp ends and split-prone regions to make hair look healthy and smooth. Product is silky, fragrant, and lightweight and a little goes a very long way to condition even the thickest and longest of manes.






4) Tigi Bedhead Health Goddess - This is my absolute FAVORITE Tigi product! Its tagline is that it is 'A Vitamin Booster that Detangles & Rehydrates.' I use it every morning to aid in the brushing of my oft-tangled long hair and to add shine and fragrance to my locks, and I use it on top of my just-washed, conditioned, hair to help ameliorate the combing out of my wet hair. Heath Goddess it a truly wondrous product that sprays onto hair in a beautifully-scented, light mist. Apparently, Tigi is discontinuing this product, as it is not listed on their website; however, it is still available at many sites on the Internet and I have been buying it for over a year at my local grocery store. This is distressing news, so I would advise stocking up!

For healthy, shiny, and scrumptious-smelling hair, I highly suggest adding one of Tigi's many high-quality products to your bower!

Get to know this magical doctor...

I of the overly sensitive, intensely itchy, easily blistered, and slow-to-heal skin (especially that of my legs) have searched the entirety of my life for a product that would save me from the customary irritation and clogged pores imparted upon my fragile dermis by the majority of major-label cleansers and soaps. I had been aware of Dr. Bronner's Magic "All-One!" soaps, having worked at both Whole Foods and Central Market in Austin, Texas, where I very frequently saw customers purchasing said product. However, for no particular reason, I had simply never bothered to give them a try. About a month ago I experienced a particularly uncomfortable outbreak of shaving rash and, once again, decided to peruse the local grocery store for a new cleanser. I strolled into the 'Healthy Living' section of the store and a light bulb went off in my mind: 'Why don't I try an all-natural product? Perhaps it's all the additives in major-label cleansers which are ameliorating my skin irritation?' So, I picked up a bottle of 'Dr. Bronner's Magic 'All-One!' Pure Castile Tea Tree Liquid Soap,' having previous knowledge of the antiseptic properties of tea tree oil. I must say that, after several weeks of use, I have noticed a TREMENDOUS reduction in both the irritation of my skin and the healing time of nicks, cuts, and scrapes! I am completely sold on Dr. Bronner's Pure Castile Soaps, not only for the fact that my skin has never been so happy, but also for the following reasons:

1) All Dr. Bronner's products contain ingredients that are certified organic under the USDA National Organic Program
2) The Dr. Bronner's company is certified Fair Trade by the Swiss IMO for both its employees and for the farmers and workers that produce the raw materials for their products
3) The Dr. Bronner's company does not test its products on animals and ensures that none of the product ingredients are tested on animals, earning the rabbit and stars logo of the Coalition for Consumer information on Cosmetics (CCIC)
4) Dr. Bronner's packaging and labelling are made from 100% post-consumer plastic and paper 5) All Dr. Bronner's Pure Castile Soaps are multi-purpose and claim "18-in-1" uses! You can use them on your body, your teeth, your hair, your pets, your dishes, your laundry, etc.

For an ecologically-friendly, environmentally-conscious, and healthy you, I recommend bringing one of the Dr. Bronner's Magic 'All-One!' products into your bower!

Tidbits about houseplants and greening up your bower...

Houseplants are an excellent way to add a touch of Nature to your bower and they are a must for creating a satisfying atmosphere of feng shui. Plus, they help to clean the air via the biolgical processes of photosynthesis and respiration (science IS fun!) Human beings have been beautifying their homes via potted greenery since the times of the ancient Egyptians and Greeks and, during the 15th century, explorers of the New World began collecting exotic plant specimens as gifts for their Kings and Queens. The cultivation of houseplants became a particularly popular hobby amongst the people of the Victorian era and, with the invention of the climate-controlling terrarium by a Dr. Nathaniel Ward, the number of exotic Palms, Jasmines, and Ferns became an increasingly common sight in European households. In the United States, the craze for houseplants reached its height during the 1950s and 1960s when homes began to be equipped with climate-controlling devices (air conditioning, heating, etc.) which allowed for suitable growing conditions for all manner of tropical plants. Today, the number of houseplants available to the consumer is endless, but most folks tend to stick to the reliable standards such as Pothos (often called 'ivy'), Mother-In-Law's-Tongue, and Philodendrons, to name a few. Recently, I discovered a beautiful little plant called the Silver Philo which looks and grows like a Pothos but has satiny, almost iridescent, leaves smattered with white spots. It is a fast and viny grower which does well in almost any household location so long as the light is filtered and somewhat abundant. It requires very little water and, in fact, does best without having its roots overly wet. Just like the Pothos, the vines can be cut and placed in a jar of water for rooting and cultivation of new plants. The Silver Philo is available at almost all nurseries and department stores such as Home Depot, Target, and Wal-Mart. If you're in the mood to add a new and unique touch of greenery to your bower, give the hearty and viny Silver Philo a try - it will do most of its upkeep all by itself ;-)
Information source: http://houseplants.suite101.com/article.cfm/the_history_of_houseplants

Sparkly Rings to Bedazzle Your Bower....

A few years ago, whilst perusing the pages of the now defunct website store 'GirlShop,' I stumbled upon the absolute magnificence of the rings produced by Rings Eclectic by Melanie Lynn Macy. I truly believe that one would be hard pressed to find rings of comparable uniqueness, style, and beauty in boutiques or anywhere on the web. Each ring is handmade in the USA and includes a super-smooth and comfortable molded acrylic base with several meticulously placed components such as: plated brass findings, semi-precious stones, Swarovski crystals, and artist-designed buttons. Rings Eclectic currently features four collections of rings which correspond to a specific element or mood: 'The

Cocktail Hour,' 'The New York,' The Swarovski Dazzle,' and 'The Modern Day.' I can honestly say that there is not a single ring that I would not LOVE to own! I currently own five, one of which I wore on my wedding day as my 'something new' element and, funnily enough, the comments on the ring surpassed the comments on my wedding bands! The Rings Eclectic website currently states that they are accepting wholesale orders only. However, I wrote to Melanie Lynn two years ago and she very happily obliged me by allowing me to place an order of three rings... but I am not sure if she is still willing to do this. The Rings Eclectic website states that Melanie Lynn's jewelry is available at Anthropologie and Nordstrom, but I was unable to locate any rings currently for sale on those websites (maybe they are at the actual stores?) I found a smattering of websites that sell Rings Eclectic jewelry, such as Net-A-Porter.Com, but the selection was rather thin... For Valentine's Day, birthdays, just-because-I'm-awesome-days - whatever reason strikes your fancy - do what you can to seek out a Rings Eclectic ring to add sparkle, dazzle, and uniqueness to your bower! You will be ever so pleased that you did!

Excellent Scrubby Product to Help Keep Your Bower Clean!

Admittedly, the new Lysol Dual Action Disinfecting Wipes are not the most environmentally friendly of cleaning products, what with their wipe-n-toss functionality, but I am so hooked on their cleaning prowess that I am willing to forgo my eco-consciousness for a few moments each day whilst I tidy up my bower. These wonderful new cleaning wipes, along with proclaiming the usual 'kills 99% of viruses and bacteria!' mantra, feature a unique, textured, scrubbing side via some manner of embedded, hardened, fibres. This scrubbing side makes cleaning household surfaces much easier and faster, especially yucky toilets and greasy stove tops. Plus, you have the satisfaction of knowing that you are disinfecting as you wipe and scrub - yay for 'dual action!'