COCONUT NATURAL DEODORANT

[Republished from LifeCandy.net 2011]

{image by iyer venki}

As y'all know, I LOVE organic coconut oil.  A lot.  A "buy a dozen jars, eat it, slather it all over me, recommend it to other people, slather it forcibly on those who resist" kind of a lot. It's an addiction, I tell ya -- I may need to seek therapy.
I blame the island girl part of me.  She's weird.  And a little slutty.

My Makeup *Lingerie*

In My Makeup Lingerie

I'm Nenette, and I'm a makeup minimalist.

BUT... I'm also a girlie girl.

Yes, I admit it.  I love my lipstick, great skincare, smelling good, and looking cute.  And it goes beyond personal hygiene.

I want to look head-turningly good... double-take good... look-up-from-your-phone-for-more-than-a-second good.

IS THAT TOO MUCH TO ASK AT 48 YEARS OF AGE?!
Well, maybe, but that's a topic for a different post.  Ahem...

Okay, I want to look more than presentable, but do I always have to slather on makeup to reach that level of hottie hottitude?

10 Reasons Why I'm Glad It's Fall

Mere seconds before the leaves fell... really.

Yes, it's Fall.  And I love it.  Please don't hate me and throw your boots at me -- you'll need those in a month.  OMG, just kidding.  I still love you, and Fall, and if you read my list, you just might like it too...

1: The weather is cooler and much more tolerable. 
Do not let my tanned island-girl exterior fool you. I not only hate extreme cold, but extreme heat as well, and Winnipeg can reach up to the mid-30 Celsius range with a lovely matching humidity. Gross.
Fall is just right. So is Spring, but that's for the "10 reasons why I'm glad it's spring" list.

2: Fall fashions finally return.
Boots. Trench coats. Scarves (or in my case, sarong as scarf). Knits. Soft hats. Frankly, I'm tired of the almost-naked attire choices. To stay comfy, I have to wear very little, which means more sun exposure. And fat exposure. Again, gross.

3: My birthday! Woohoo! 
I'm one of those people who totally adore celebrating their birthday. Hey, I took a ride around the sun! And I'm still alive! Isn't that something to "Woohoo!" about?!

4: Fall tv schedule. 
I don't know about you, but I find end-of-season cliffhangers completely suckish.  Completely. I blame Dallas and the whole "Who Shot JR?" I wish I'd shot JR and ended this whole farce. But over the summer, I do miss new episodes of all my returning faves, and I'm glad they're back, like an old friend... who owes you money.

5: Flannel sheets.
I love flannel sheets! They're warm before you even get in! I'm all for the soft-n-cuddly.

6: Stews!
My stews rock... 1 pound of stewing beef, chopped carrot, chopped parsnip, thyme, stock.
Simmer for 3 hours.
Then smear all over your body.
Oh, wait, no -- eat.
Too warm and heavy for the summer, but perfect for the Fall.

7: No more mosquitoes.
I apparently have delicious blood. The little vampires just love me. And it's so nice when it gets cool enough to make these jerks miraculously vanish.

8: The return to a schedule.
With hubby and the kids back at their respective schools, life's become more predictable.  Seriously, if left to our own devices, we'd never get anything done. Why? Because we suck at planning. During the summer, we rarely planned anything. We would wake up and decide what to do that day. But because we also suck at making decisions, we would end up just watching tv or napping. Okay, that's not bad either.

9: Festivities - Halloween and Thanksgiving.
I LOVE food- and costume-centric holidays. Okay, I love the food part. Turkey and pineapple-glazed ham make my world go 'round.

10: Christmas shopping.
I don't often shop. I always feel guilty when I spend money on myself. But since I usually buy my own Christmas presents (Cam and the kids wrap them up and put them under the tree, then I act all "Oh, how beautiful! I had no idea! It's just what I wanted!" And they giggle. Like school kids. Even Cam.), I can go crazy! Within budget.

Bonus: The return of body hair.
Since I'm covering everything up anyway, I don't have to shave my legs. Booyah!!!

Okay, your turn.  Why are YOU glad it's Fall?  And if you're not... geez, why the hell not?! (I still love you though.)

project 333: building a capsule wardrobe

Okay, here's the deal:

3 months 33 articles of clothing

Courtney of Be More With Less has set up Project 333 and dares us to survive 3 months -- from now 'til December 31 -- with only 33 articles of clothing.

In case it's not obvious, I, my lovelies, am taking the dare! And you can do it too! 

If you're wondering if I'm really drunk high being unrealistically over-ambitious this time and that I'm trying to pull you into the crazy end of the swimming pool, just head over to Courtney's for the complete set of rules.

You'll see that it's completely realistic and doable, and I won't be forced into going commando or resorting to sleeping in the buff (much to Roomie's chagrin). You can start anytime, so if you think it's too late to join, it's not, so go and check it out.

Okay, back to me...

My List of 33.

Clothing:

1. jeans

2. khaki pants

3. black wool skirt

4. black leggings

5. white printed t-shirt

6. plain black t-shirt

7. plain grey t-shirt

8. plain white t-shirt

9. "Superman" t-shirt

10. plain black long-sleeved shirt

11. white "Active" long-sleeved shirt

12. black sweater

13. black vest

14. burgundy t-shirt

15. green t-shirt

Accessories:

1. black fuzzy hat

2. brown bag

3. blue/black sarong

4. black gloves

Jewelry:

1. wedding ring

2. iron ring

3. watch

4. woven bracelet

5. small gold hoop earrings

Outwear:

1. denim coat

2. black trench

3. long Hellraiser-ish winter coat

4. parka

Shoes:

1. black casuals

2. black heels

3. winter boots

4. white high heels

5. rain boots

Random Thoughts.

+ I've always wanted to build a "basics" wardrobe, and this will push me to start.
+ Because of my FatBet project, I'll likely need to get rid of many of the ill-fitting clothes in my closet anyway.

+ I want to kick Pareto's 80-20 principle in the bum.

+ I may have totally screwed myself for the up-coming holiday season.

+ The fact that I'm a girl may have serious implications on this project, but the fact that I work from home in my lounge wear will hopefully level that playing field.

+ I'm not including my summer clothes, which have been sadly packed away for the season, so this is strictly fall/winter stuff.

+ When I was making my list, I found myself thinking that, if I only had 33 clothes to wear, they all had to count. And so many of my clothes didn't make the cut, but I'd rather have less than 33 items than have several items I wouldn't want to wear. I wondered if I had to actually go shopping! 

This is my rack... Roomie's is the loaded one above.

My Almost Minimalist Wallet

I think it was at my monthly sushi get together with my friends that my  friend Monique complained that she had way too much stuff in her wallet. She then proceeded to pull out a brick-sized animal from her purse that looked like it was holding its breath and getting ready to kersplode and throw up enough credit cards and receipts to cover us and the tables within a 3 metre radius. You could almost hear the seams creaking.

I can't do that. I need to have a wallet small enough to fit in my back pocket because I'm paranoid and must have my wallet as close as possible to my person, short of stuffing it in my frilly panties.

Sadly, it's a very short slide between stream-lined and George Costanza's monstrosity, so I have to keep a close eye and do regular inventory checks, like I did with my purse a couple of years back (which I should really do again soon).

In order to avoid the slide, I make it a point to NOT put the following in my wallet...

1: Social Insurance Number card - Plus, it's a potential security risk.

2: Cheque book - This is in the vault at home. Or some hidden place I will deem 'the vault'.

3: Membership cards. - I don't need my MEC card to buy a zhuzhu pet from toys'r'us, do I? No.

4: Receipts - They get emptied out ever night into a zip top bag for later spreadsheet input. Also to avoid buyer's remorse. And to keep Roomie from finding the receipt for my retail therapy sessions.

5: Discount/Rewards/Points cards. - "I can't buy that... I don't have my card with me." See? No impulse buying!

In today's check, I found...

1: Driver's License

2: Manitoba Medical Card

3: Credit Card

4: CAA Motor vehicle card

5: Organ Donor Card (Have you signed yours?)

6: "I Love You, Mom" artwork Lam made for me when he was 4yo.

7: "I Love Mommy" artwork Mini made with green construction paper cut into hearts.

8: Photobooth picture of Roomie and the kids

9: Formal picture of the kids

10: $60

11: Debit Card

All of which looks like...


And folds down to...


Not bad.

So, how about you? What's in your wallet right now?

My Natural Hair: I Don't Smell Like BBQ Sauce Anymore

I don't wash my hair with baking soda and vinegar anymore.

For those saying "What the hell is she talking about?", read this.

Go on. I'll wait.

Back? Okay... Yes, I've gone poo again. As in SHAMpoo. Shampoo, conditioner, styling product -- the whole package. I started on the Saturday just before Christmas, so it's been over a month.

I'm so bummed about this because I had such wonderful results on the no-poo. And I truly tried to continue it. Through the increasing static, the frustrating flatness, the undeniable stringy-ness, the appearance of a few too many flakes -- all of which started pretty much as soon as the mercury dropped below 0C -- I tried! For the love of FSM, I TRIED!

But no matter my efforts to hang on, I just couldn't stand looking like this anymore... Yikes! ...Because in this city, winter is just too dry, and I'm just too Filipino.  

Curse you, cruel fate!

To be born on a beautiful tropical island only to be dumped in the middle of the frigid, dry, mosquito-infested Canadian Prairies! Oh, for pete's sake, I need humidity 24/7/365 or else I shrivel up. And end up looking like that. Ugh, I look like I haven't bathed in a month! I just washed it that morning!

Anyway, after the first shampoo and conditioning, I looked like (brace yourselves) this... Holy Big Hair, Batman! Okay, it's not as big as my 80s picture. And the picture makes it look worse than it really was. It's just really wavy. Like I'd braided my hair just after showering and went to sleep on it.

But you know, what really rocked my world were the scents! OMG, my hair smelled so PRETTY! I'd forgotten.

So, I used -- of course -- natural haircare products:  

• Shampoo: Hugo Naturals French Lavender Shampoo  
• Conditioner: Aloe 80 Organics Daily Conditioner  
• Styling Product: Aveda Confixor 

Then, blowdry. Scrunching. Remember "scrunching"?

Okay, fast forward 4 weeks. Now, my hair looks like this... Sorry 'bout the faraway shot. I was sitting at my laptop at the diningroom table writing this post. Too lazy to get up.

So, my hair doesn't feel as light and fluffy anymore, as it did during the baking-soda/vinegar days, but the lack of static, the moisture, the bounce, and the pretty flowery scent make up for it.  

For now.

Hair guinea pig, out!

A Big Bag of Trouble

... and in the immortal words of The Tick: "That's Trouble with a capital TROUB!"

Look at me, carrying my luggage -- my big bag of life's essentials plus a whole bunch of other junk that fell into the black hole that is my bag, and, I swear, went into hiding.

I love this thing. It's stylish, casual, and fake leather. $39 at Smart Set in St.Vital. I just sling it over my shoulders across my chest, and I'm fully-equipped yet hands-free. It's awesome.

But why the big bag? Where is that small swing purse I swore I'd use as soon as both kids were potty-trained and I was diaper-gear-free?

Ah, my small swing purse. I remember getting it so many years ago, when I finally accepted that I couldn't carry everything in my pockets without looking like a complete moron.

But it's okay. Back then, I didn't need much. Just my wallet, lipstick, keys, paperback novel, and gum.

Now, I guess I need more. I have a big bag -- so I must NEED MORE stuff to carry around... right? RIGHT?!!! (scroll down for the list)
 
1: paperback novel (Julie Garwood's The Wedding -- a fun book I like to keep in the bag for emergency reading situations)
2: Global Mind shopping bag - which folds down really tiny to almost nothing
3: big notebook - daily To-Dos and blog ideas
4: small notebook - because I'd forgotten it was in here
5: cellphone - my Razr which I LOVE
6: mp3 player
7: 2 tissue packets
8: 2 pairs of gloves
9: 3 pens
10: sunglasses
11: pack of gum - Spermint Xylichew
12: deck of cards - for "Go Fish" when the kids get bored or a quick game of Solitare
13: hairclip
14: lipstick - Aveda CocoPlum liptint
15: perfume sample papers from Fruits & Passions
16: 3 toothbrushes, 1 special bridge brush, 5 packs of floss threaders, and 2 sample flosses -- from my dental appointment yesterday.

And this doesn't even include the emergency first aid kit I grab when I have the kids with me. Sigh.

Oh yeah, I shamelessly copied Ali, when I did this. She's funny. I like her. I want to be her. Except with only 2 kids.

My Natural Hair: The First Cut

I swear, you must, by now, think this is nothing but a 'hair blog'. All I talk about is my hair... and hot actor dudes who remind me of my husband. I'll try to talk more about other stuff. I promise. Except today.


Today, we'll talk more about my hair. Stop laughing.

The last time I saw Jane, my awesome stylist, was September 2007, just before my 20 year high school reunion. What she gave me that time was a little shorter than my regular cut, so instead of waiting the usual 9 months before the next chop, I was able to wait 13 months.

Doing the no-shampoo thing since June has certainly helped. See? I owe this awesome hair to washing with a baking soda solution (2 tablespoons in 2 cups of water) and rinsing with an apple cider vinegar solution (also 2 tablespoons in 2 cups of water) once a week.

No evil vinegar smell remains. The hubby thinks my head just smells like me.

I really could've waited a little longer for a cut. It didn't look bad. It wasn't unruly. It was just heavy, thick -- just too much hair.

Even at the peak of my new wave band days, I didn't have that much hair. Even for a hot bassist.

See? Okay, now stop laughing. Ahem, okay, back to the present. So, I went in to see Jane on Tuesday for my first cut since no-shampoo. That was the first time shampoo had touched my head in 4 months! Oh, cripes, it felt so wrong! And the smell was so fake and un-me.

 If the scalp massage hadn't felt so good, I think I would've screamed for her to stop and rinse out that Concoction of Evil.

Now, you might be asking "Why did you go for the shampoo, Nenette? You could've said 'no'!" Well, one reason was that I wanted to go in looking like I normally did everyday to give Jane an idea of what I do with my hair now.

I mean, it's been over a year, right? And secondly, I was more than a little curious to know what effect shampoo would have.

Now I know. The cut was fine. Here it is. Still long. Thinned out. It's the usual.

Then she styled it... with styling product. Oh, lordy. Since going no-shampoo, I haven't needed product. Now, my hair felt heavy and coated. It didn't have that clean bounce.

And suddenly, on my way home, my scalp started to itch. Jeepers. I started driving a little faster.

Imagine if I got stopped for speeding? "Yes, officer, I know I was going 10 klicks over the speed limit, but my scalp itches so I have to hurry home and pour baking soda and vinegar on my head."

Um, okay, crazy lady, get off the road now.

So, yeah, I'm okay today. I don't think the shampoo really caused any significant damage. Roomie isn't convinced I've even had a haircut -- he'll know when the credit card bill comes in. The kids haven't said anything -- which is a good sign. My head feels lighter, but it'll take another month to get it to the ideal state where it'll stay until the next cut. I can't wait. I miss my hair already.

My Natural Hair: The Saga Continues...

I'm still loving the No Shampoo thing.

 I think I'm totally hooked. But I've had to make some changes after a couple of weeks.

You see, when dry, my hair felt soft and full, but in the shower, it felt... greasy, like I wasn't getting it clean enough. Water doesn't move grease, and I felt like I was wearing a wet helmet.

So, I stopped using my conditioner. Didn't help.

Determined not to reach for shampoo again, I found some great information at Babs' Babyslime, who also gives great solutions to specific no-poo problems, such as dandruff, dry hair, etc.

So, armed with some new info, I hopped in the shower with a tablespoon of baking soda in 1 cup of water and another cup with a tablespoon of lemon juice in 1 cup of water.

Feeling doubtful and more than a little dopey, I poured the baking soda mixture on my head and massaged.

Lo and behold, the grease washed away! It was all gone leaving light clean hair. I then rinsed it out with water. Next, I poured the diluted lemon juice on my hair as a conditioner. It felt really good on my scalp. I combed it through then rinsed. I let my hair air dry.

Conclusion? Well, the photo speaks for itself. My hair looks good and feels good. Very shiny. The waves are nice and full. I think I'll be doing the baking soda/lemon juice thing once a week or every 2 weeks. Or maybe just when it needs it.  

Have any of you tried the no-poo thing yet? How'd it go? Let me know!

My "Natural Hair" Secret...

As many of my friends can attest to, my hair is a big part of my image, my Island Girl look.

So, when I got so many compliments on my hair in my video post, I was overjoyed, over the moon, over so many things I was literally floating on air and dusting the top of my cupboards. No, not really - I hate dusting - but I was happy. Thanks again, y'all! *winky-wink*

And now, at the risk of freaking out my friends, I will tell you my gorgeous-hair secret: I don't use shampoo.

Yes, you read right. No need to re-read. I sport a No 'Poo 'Do. How's that for minimalist/low-maintenance hair?! :)  

Why No Shampoo?
For the same reason why I stopped using facial cleanser. Facial cleanser, like shampoo, cleans too well. Shampoo can be too harsh for your hair and scalp. It strips away all the sebum (natural oils), leaving your hair and scalp dry.

So, in response, your scalp then produces more sebum, resulting in greasy hair fast. Thus begins the vicious cycle: Your hair is greasy, so you shampoo, which leads to more grease. Besides, it's more natural to clean the body mechanically (scrubbing action) rather than chemical (grease-cutting of soap). And I like to use the natural approach.  

How Did I Do This?
So, I broke the shampoo-grease cycle about 6 weeks ago, I think it was, after reading about it first at Sarah's no 'poo adventures posts. Now, when I hop in the shower, I - with water, my fingers, and a good wide-tooth comb - scrub my scalp to clean it, and comb my hair to redistribute the natural oils. I then rub conditioner into the ends.

From various sites, I was told to expect really bad greasy hair for anywhere from 2 weeks to 3 months until the oils normalize. And for about 2-3 weeks, it was really gross. Imagine what it feels like to have a large lump of clay molded around your head... for 3 weeks. Yeah, like that. Sexy, eh? I seriously contemplated doing a Brit. Nasty.  

After the GTP (Gunky Transition Period)... My perseverance paid off beyond my wildest expectations. I noticed the following things start to happen post-GTP:

• My hair has more shine, natural bounce and volume... even when I air-dry!
• My waves are fuller (more curly than straight).
• More good hair days... even after just rolling out of bed.
• Less hair in the shower drain catcher.
• The dandruff problem that plagued me since my teens started calming down - less itching, less flakes.

Moreover, I love that it's simple, fast, cheap, green, and natural. I don't have to use any more styling product, to waste time blowdrying and styling, and to chance poisoning my body through my skin. And I'm not pouring toxic, unnatural chemicals down the drain and into our lakes and rivers. Sweet.  

The Future...
As soon as my conditioner is used up, I'll start looking into using coconut oil instead. I've read that it prevents product build up, yet provides good moisture for those of us with flaky/dry scalps. Oh, I may even add some ylang-ylang essential oil to get that pretty, 'just showered' smell.  

Tips for Those Interested...
Some No 'Poo people use baking soda and/or apple cider vinegar to clean their hair, so if you're apprehensive about going cold turkey, you can try that in the interim. Some great info can be assimilated at The No-'Poo Do, so check it out!

Any questions? Hit me, baby! :)