Happy Hunjie

I cannot believe I've written 100 posts already. How did it happen? It just goes to show that I truly love my little blog. It's a source of creative energy outlet for me, a way I can keep in touch with my friends in the blogosphere and, on occasion, it is a window into my soul.

I hope you are getting just as much entertainment out of it as I am!

LOVE

K.Rudd's Cabinet

The KRudd Obligatory Joke Circuit

A man applying for a job at a Mildura lemon grove seemed to be far too qualified for the job.

The foreman frowned and said, "I have to ask you this; have you had any actual experience in picking lemons?"

He replied: "I've been divorced three times, bought a Hyundai, and voted for Kevin Rudd. How am I going so far?"

Spidy Legs

Another Wolford moment in my ensemble today - I picked these up in London and I love them - I feel like Spider Woman...

Flatmate Finding

Flatmate finding is a tough little nut to crack. I must say from the start I have been exceptionally fortunate with the various flatmates I've had to date and miss them to this day.

There is a lot riding on it; the next 6 or 12 months will either be peace or war and subterfuge as you share your life with each other. So if you're like me and you want to keep your friends (I am an excellent friend and flattie but seriously I need my space and quiet time like the air I breathe), you must search further a field. In the beginning it's more about the place and then you meet the someone that's advertising. It's a complete stranger and you proceed to conduct something akin to a couple of rounds of speed dating. Going through your stats, your deets, your digits and your criminal history, if you have one (I don't. Seriously.) to size each other up for flattie worthy material.

Then there's the question of sex. Male or female that is people. If you're a girl is it better to live with a chick or a dude? Saffa T gave me a pretty severe lecture on this subject when I let my plan slip the other night. She actually became so passionate about how nightmarish boys are to live with that she began to raise her voice, her hands gesticulating wildly in Hitler-esque jabs. Scary. Even scarier that I didn't listen to her rant having now committed to moving in with the enemy. Da da daaaaaaaa. *screams*

You read correctly you guys, I'm moving in with a younger man. His name is Chuck. Chuck the Flattie. I've never lived with another man before, not even one I was nailing, so it's a grand new adventure. Chuck seems like a decent bloke, his credentials check out. I feel like I've adopted a little bro....

Angus & Julia Stone last night

My sis and a I were lucky enough to get right up in the grill of  the bro/sis act Angus & Julia Stone last night. Admittedly I haven't been too taken with the duo from Newport, Sydney, until now.

Angus & Julia Stone come from musical pedigree, their mum and dad playing in a band together back in the day. They introduced the siblings to music from an early age, Julia playing the trumpet and Angus playing the trombone to start. Their musical prowess grew exponentially from there with their debut EP Chocolates and Cigarettes released in August 2006 in both Australia and the UK. They haven't looked back since.

Last night we were treated to a selection of their current chart toppers, from Paper Aeroplane to Just a Boy and as soon as Julia took to the mic all my previous indifference evaporated into thin air. Her voice, childlike almost, rang out across the crowded bridge, transcending time, as she switched from guitar to trumpet, to key board, to singing all in one song. Angus, full of praise of his sis and on this occasion looking like a vagabond shrouded in his own unkempt shag of hair and baggy hat, was just as charming and thought evoking as Jules.

The duo's folk/accoustic genre has a distinct ethereal vibe. My heart welcomed the sounds that took me back to the 1970's, a time when I wasn't even on the earth yet but that has always engaged my soul in terms of the beats, the rhythms and lyrics, and the calm of a simpler life. A & J transported me to that happy place in my soul, the place that makes my body move, my eyes close, my hands dance and my mind wander; playing in creeks barefoot, climbing trees, a white sundress, coast trips with the windows down, friendship, freedom.

The list of songs are every morsel as delectable as the sounds they entitle: Mango Tree (a definite fave - so beautiful, I feel like I am right there with them), Horse and Cart, Silver Coin, Private Lawns, Santa Monica Dream, Jewels and Gold, Stranger, and my personal favourite right now, The Beast.

And to top it off, they have an amazing online presence; check out their whimsical website and the upcoming tour dates here. Or buy their latest album 'Down the Way' here.

PS You guys, this was my first real music review - let me know what you think!

Goldfish Blues

Our household keeps goldfish. Well, at least my mum does. We have a rad cauldron full of fantails and comets and one mystery snail we call Gary (the mystery continues, we haven't been able to locate his slimy little self for days now!).

Every now and then one of the fish will die. For various reasons. It's never fun to find their lifeless, limp little bodies and the good lord knows I've buried a few fish in my time (no, I never flush them down the dunny - ew. Oh and RIP Inky, you were a rad little black boggley eyed pal for those 5 whole days you swam with our school). Mum maintains that in Feng Shui, when a goldfish dies it absorbs a whoosh of bad energy for the family, it takes the bullet for us so to speak, and dissolves the negative energy so we are saved from it. This is slightly worrying considering we had 9 fish and are now down to a solid six which we are hoping are going to swim the hard yards with us, and no more bad energy strikes.

Cauldron

However, one of the remaining six survivors has begun to have swimming and buoyancy issues. It keeps tipping upside down so that it's belly up, then it rights itself for a little, swims around then flips back over again. It's strange to watch. Now, as auspicious as it is when a fish dies, mum is determined to save this fish, Sharon*. 

Sharon's Diagnosis: Swim Bladder (who knows really). Cure: frozen pea. Yes, FROZEN PEA. Mum sits at the edge of the tank and breaks up a frozen pea and then feeds it to the sickun by literally popping the pea into its gob. And would you believe, it's actually worked! No more upside down swimming, so far so good.

Sharon the Sick Fish

So, all's well that ends well. Not only will Sharon survive, but its hilarious watching mum hand feed peas to the fish. She gets so much joy out of it, and we get so much mirth laughing at her. Excellent Chi!

Who you lookin at fool?

*Alternative names have been used to protect the privacy of the fish involved. 

This is Brisbane

The Go-Between Bridge, Brisbane

Brisbane has a new bridge you guys. ANOTHER new bridge and yours truly went to a concert on said bridge last night to watch The Go-Betweens (80's indie rock band that sang "Streets of Your Town") on the Go-Between. Apart from that song, I really wasn't familiar with any of their others, and, aside from having that one rad song, they were kinda crap. The lead, Robert Forster, was ever so slightly flat and then got grumpy when the smoke was too much for his grandaddy lungs, asking to turn the smoke machine off mid way through the set.

I feel bad for saying that because they were a big deal back in the day, topping both Aussie and UK charts in 1988 for Streets of Your Town and then later in the States for "Was there anything I could do?". And it's a long way to get there from little ol' Brissie. Still, I was but a mere tacker at the time of their rise to fame and perhaps I should have more respect?

Nah! The damn bridge is named after them, I think that's enough don't you?

To London

You've Got to Love London from Alex Silver on Vimeo.


This made me cry. It's a mini vid of London, my old home. Why do I crave this place so? It's like hearing from an old lover that you never truly got over. I wince every time I hear about it, see it. The need to be there, living London, still burns in my heart; my spirit cries out to be amongst the red buses, the history, the vibe, the action, the people. My actions today are geared to getting me back there some day, very very soon.

Friday Animal Humour

Magical Mystery Blog

Isn't it eery that the day before K Dudd resigns, I asked him to, on this blog?

What kind of untapped, magical, mystical powers does this blog hold!?

Dear Magical Mystical Blog, can you please locate that gorgeous European man my psychic predicted would swoop me off my feet and send him to me POST HASTE!

Actually while you're at it, can you then send us on an all expenses paid trip to a bungalow in Bora Bora where we eat mangoes and drink champagne and dance the nights away.....

Australia's First Lady PM

            Wow Jules, the day has dawned. Congratulations. Lets see what you can do.
(You guys, I'm getting right into this politics thing.)

Proposed Mining Tax Pain

As a dutiful employee of a mega Australian mining conglomerate I am directly in the line of fire when it comes to the proposed mining super tax and the related propaganda that's been spreading like wildfire these days. I feel it is my duty to highlight the sheer insanity of the proposal and disseminate the below banner. It may seem as though I'm biased; I am but a minion among the black dirt titans and don't generally go down for political debate. 

HOWEVER, truly, what is The Rudd doing to our most vital and lucrative industry sector? If, as he claims, more Australians want a share of the profits of our resource rich nation and in turn the innovative companies who have outlaid the finance, technology, business structure, study, planning and expertise then perhaps they should apply for a job with one and earn it. Perhaps The Rudd should don a hard hat and high viz and earn his fair share of Australian bounty through intelligence, patience and hard work, like we are. Your initiative cap was obviously turfed years ago Rudd. Stop being a lazy, revenue hungry moron and start using your brain. Better yet, just resign.   

Phew. Amen.

Little London

Today reminds me so much of London days. It's misty and rainy and cold and cosy inside.

This is the Little London view from my office. Check out the "Mini Eye"

A girl can dream....

K Rudd's popularity....??

You guys I've just come across this blog - Rudd Watch - its hilarious. I'm down with it. Sorry K Rudd. You're an idiot and the rest of the world knows you only for picking your ear and eating it (thanks Saffa T). Embarrassing and utterly feral.

And the winner is...

Holler out to Mama L who nominated me for the pretty award you see to the left of the screen. I'd like to thank her for her perennial friendship, guidance, support, humour and gorgeousness. I dedicate this award to you my friend. 


Now to the rules:
1/ Thank the person that nominated you ✓
2/ Put the award up on your blog ✓
3/ Post a link the the person that nominated you ✓
4/ Post 7 interesting facts about yourself ✓ (below)
5/ Nominate other people you think deserve the award.✓ 


7 Interesting facts about me:
 1. I can vibrate my eyes
2. I was an A+ art student who chose to do Biology which I failed. Foolish. 
3. I designed and practiced my own secret code with my best friend in high school so we could pass notes without being discovered - suppose that explains the Biology)
4. I have freckles on my face arms and legs but none on my torso
5. I can do the splits
6. I spent much of my youth climbing trees and acting like 'Ayla' from the Clan of the Cave Bear series, complete with amulet and totem spirit. 
7. I had a secret crush on my guitar teacher...maybe still do
8. I bought a pink 1970's pogo stick at a school fete 11 years ago for $5 that I loved then lost. It was the real deal and so much radder than the one in this pic.  

Ok so that was 8, but I'm a very interesting person. 


The blogs I would like to nominate are:
A Little Birdy Told Me 
Scenes From My Hood
The Pioneer Woman
A Modern Girl


And I guess I need to do some more searching for beautiful bloggers seeing as the requisite number is around 7....I must spread the love!!!

A Little Note

My fave baby blogger buddy blogged a bit of banter (say that three times fast and you get a... blurrg...?) And it reminded me of something beautiful that happened to me years ago. It must have been five or so years, I was at uni, parking my car and heading to Z block to waste some of my now hard earned cash (no but seriously couldn't have got where I am today without it - stay in school kids), when a lovely dude approached me to ask directions.

Happily I gave them and we both went on our merry studious way, piles of heavy and important books in tow.

I returned to my car later and there waiting for me was this tiny scribbled note pegged under my windscreen wiper:

and inside.....

It made my day. It made my year. In fact, its made my life if that's possible. It struck me that he went out of his way to pay me a compliment for absolutely nothing in return. It meant so much to me that I kept that little scrap of paper to always remind me not of my own beauty (no, truly) but to remind me of the beauty in others.

Random acts of kindness, both giving and receiving, should never be underestimated.

Thanks Dan.

Train Dude

The raddest dude on my train wears a cream fedora with his three piece suit. Every morning he gets on my carriage.
I wonder where he works.

And if he ever takes his hat off?

What does his hair look like under there?

Does he get hat hair?

Does he care?
Poet and I didn't know it...

I wish I had a photo for you guys. I will get one tomorrow morning.

Name Sake

I thought it appropriate to explain the name of my blog tonight. PtitPoisson is translated from French to English meaning "Lil' fish". I was in Perpignan at the time of conception with my delightful Frenchie bestie who did the hard yards being bi-lingual. She did the translation and hey presto! Out popped PtitPoisson. Of course no guesses to the metaphor it conjures. 

I love being a little fish in this big wide world.  

SEX & R-PATZ

Is it just me or does the way R-Patz say 'sex' in Twilight make your knees weak?

Raarr

The Universe's Sweet Bode

This is the time for celebration my friends for I have finally found a place to call home, other than Hotel Parentals that is. I am leaving the nest (again) for my own sweet 'bode' in Teneriffe.

I had just received my approval for a place in Newstead and was feeling a bit off about it.  Things became clear for me Wednesday afternoon. I was avoiding returning home to the barren Transit House from hell when I felt the universe shift. For some reason the Newstead place was weighing heavy on my shoulders - it was considerable financial outlay to acquire and I felt like the white goods I would have had to purchase to deck the place out would prove to be more of a ball and chain around my ankle, rather than inanimate modern luxuries.

I jumped online and from there I was guided to find this new Teneriffe tenancy complete with wooden floors, vaulted ceilings, a fridge and a flattie (who I am certain will provide me with endless post fodder to come). It was perfect timing, I knew the universe was guiding me. Such a strange feeling. It felt like for a moment I was simply a puppet doing as the puppeteer willed. Almost an outer body experience. Or should I say outer high viz experience?

So I move in on 3rd July. Count down begins.

The Eternal Fountain of Youth

Happily I can report that of late I have been receiving comments on my age. Or should I say my youth. I spent some time with an old friend I was hanging out with years ago. He doesn't know my age but had said that I hadn't changed one iota (iota being a tiny measurement I presume) and said I must be 22, 23. WIN

Also I met a new friend yesterday and he thought I was early twenties. BIG WIN

This is a holler out to my pairies for bestowing upon me their excellent youthful genes.

LOVE

NB: I have also stopped the cancer sticks and I'm winding back the clock even as I type...21 here I come!

Back to Blog

Blackwater stole my will to blog. I was up there for work last week. Yes, an entire week. This trip was a personal PR campaign to establish some rapport with some of the more surlier characters I work with. Mostly they have worked on a mine site all their 100+ years and are set in their ways, slow country folk for the most part and usually named something like "Carrot" or "Macca". Coal particles ooze from their very pores and they have a clear aversion to showering and more importantly paper work I need them to complete in order for me to do my job.

I managed to bring a couple of them round and even had one guy come to me for some help which tells me I'm better at PR than I originally thought. Those three years at uni didn't go to waste after all - and it wouldn't have anything to do with the fact that I'm a tall blonde in a pair of toit dark denims....whatever.

I'm usually also set up in a room in the SPQ (Single Persons Quarters - think of the shittiest rural motel you've ever stayed in and times it by 10) but this time it was full to the brim with coal crunchers so I was forced to endure three whole nights in a large, barren 'transit' house with no working tv and fluro lights. The silence was palpable. And scary. I even went as far as to select the sharpest carving knife I could locate in the kitchen to lie at the ready under my pillow in case an intruder should decide to call. Look I'm nothing without a little drama in my life. Even if it is all in my head. Obviously I'm still here to tell the tale.

All in all a very intense, heads down work-athon last week and I'm feeling ever so slightly drained from it. On the positive side I relish being busy busy busy. Work is finally starting to provide me with the slightest sliver of satisfaction.

It's not a dirty word

On the Prius. I friggin love it Parko...

Blogging Buddy

A Beautiful Day

I spent this beautiful public holiday in the winter sun with a dear beloved old friend. He's such a darling. We met for coffee first at 10:30am, then went to look at his new house in New Farm with a gorgeous diamond chandelier. Then we met with another old friend for lunch, then went furniture shopping, then watched a movie on his couch, then went to dinner in a little french cafe at South Bank where we had steaks with bernaise sauce and listened to Edith Piaf.

I've missed him. He makes me feel more like myself. He makes me laugh. He brings out the me in me.

LOVE and hugs to you Parko.

My New Squeeze

This is my new squeeze - isn't he delightful!

ROBERT PATTINSON SIGHTING #2 (Yes)

People, you wouldn't BELIEVE who I ran into yesterday. Posts ago I wrote about having an encounter with an Edward Cullen look-a-like on the train. Well, I wish it was an encounter, it was more me ogling him wishing desperately he would suddenly appear at my side and wrench my skivvy down my neck. And after much kicking at myself I let go of the possibility of ever seeing him again, travelling out of the station of my life like the train we were on.

BUT lo! There he was yesterday in a shop. Yes a shop. (Prepare for an anti climax people) Turns out young Aussie Edward works in retail and is a graphic design student by day. STUDENT. So young. And in person, very "Edwardesque" but no cigar. Needless to say I couldn't contain my giggling and my face went all hot.

He let me take a photo of him.

I snuck two....

His photos really don't do him justice. But he does have a very familiar look about him! I'm pretty sure he styles his hair and wears that pea coat so he can get gushing girls coming in to buy watches from him. Shame on me.

Heist

I love this word. Heist.

I think I want to be a jewel thief. I look good in black. This would be my outfit, minus the black lippy. I do not look good in black lippy...

Copping a Feel

Now that its winter I've been digging out all my fabulous Londony wintery wardrobe and in amongst the selection is, inevitably, a sensational pair of hose. My ensemble today; leather skirt, turtle neck and belted coat (all black of course) needed a little something extra on the bottom half to battle the cold. (Brisbane! I'm impressed!)

So anyway I dug deep and produced a slinky nude pair of stay up hose to pop on and can I tell you, I'm loving them. They are so sheer its almost my leg but with a slippery lovely slight glossiness to them. Truth is I'd forgotten how wonderufl hose could be! I'm a sucker for all things lingerie at the best of times but this has made my day and its only 9am. Now I just have to stop myself from slinking one calf up the other all day long! Women are so lucky we get to wear them! Hallelujah a-wo-men.

Day 4 - RAW

DISASTER. I prolly picked the wrong week to start on this raw deal, literally. The scene: work lunch, Queensland's best seafood on offer, what's a girl to do? And frankly, I copped enough chiding, sighing, quizzical looks and just plain crap in the work meeting yesterday for refusing the baguettes. I threw the towel in for lunch because it's so hard to go against the grain with food! People are so quick to judge and put their two bobs' worth in about how they think it's good or bad or ugly and how their old colleague's girlfriend's monkey's cousin who did the same thing and it didn't work etc etc blah blah waa waa.

I now feel sorry for my lovely, and strictly raw AND vegan friend who has to deal with this strand of tall poppy syndrome. People just luuuurve to drag you down or judge or mock you here. I have no doubt this wouldn't have been half an issue in London.

Either way, I picked up my bundle again after that and my sister made a fresh tomato soup for me tonight. While my lifestyle doesn't lend itself too well to fresh and raw 100% of the time, I've certainly learnt a few things about how to integrate more raw into my life. And I've been surprised at the recipes. It hasn't felt at all like a tiresome dragging fast or diet. The fresh salads and fruits and vegies and smoothies and herbs etc etc are plentiful and full of flavour. And what's more it makes you feel good AFTER you've eaten a raw meal. You feel light and sustained.

Cheers,

Day 2 & 3 RAW

Re Raw - I've been doing so well you guys! Raw everything! Another beautiful smoothie this morning and fresh salad with the brazil nut cheese today INSTEAD of the potential giant chunk cookies that were parked in front of me for about four hours in a meeting today AND the ridiculously fresh baguettes that came in at lunch....

Did I mention the cookies....they were giant, choc chip, moist in the middle. They were crying out to me, I lost concentration more than once but I didn't yield to their evil powers! And now, I'm feeling light and happy at the fact that I do have the will power to withstand such brutal adversity.

The end.

Prepared!

Brekkie: a narni, a kiwi fruit, half a cup of water melon and water - sooooo yum! Its amazing how frothy it came out you just don't need the milk at all! And at 10am I'm still full....

Aaaand: Lunch. I managed to include the amazing "Brazil nut cheese" as the dip though I added some avocado to it....

Day 1 - RAW

Yesterday wasn't too bad except I have to admit to being ill prepared and so I don't think I went totally raw - I had a smoothie with soy milk (soy isn't 'raw' is it?) and a nana and ice. Kept me going for quite some time actually! Then for lunch I was strapped for time and only had time to get a salad from across the road - but it had cooked sweet potato and cheese in it! Whoops

The best meal of today was the fresh salad I just made myself - completely raw. I will take this day as an 'easing into it' day.

So all in all quite ok. I suppose I know that it's really only for a few days, and I'm still eating things, not like the lemon detox which is just all liquid!

Nothing happens to anyone they are not fitted by nature to bear.

Gladiator.

Blogging Buddy

Raw for a Week

That's it. I'm going RAW. Inspired by my Green Goddess friend I'm going to attempt to eat fresh, raw, vegetarian stuff for five days. The vegetarian part: not so hard. I don't eat a lot of meat in general. But the raw part is going to be tough on these wintery blustery nights in front of the heater. My laziness doesn't help much either. Nevertheless, I've already sourced out a fresh juice place across from work and a place that juliennes carrots, celery and snow peas all in a neat little container for $5.95. Saffa T is of course outraged by this, carrying on about how an entire kilo of carrots is $1.95 at Woolies. My response: Firstly, please, I don't shop at Woolies, and secondly I'm a lazy bitch and I like to have my carrots cut for me. So there.

Five days, starting tomorrow morning.  Can I do it? And more importantly, how is it going to affect the way I feel in my body? Commentary to follow....

PS. Our lemons taste sweet. Miracle of miracles.

LOVE

It was a gorgeous day today. After having brunch with a girlfriend (divine creamed mushies with poachedies and sourdough) I was on a hunting and gathering mission for ingredients for my skin care range and I came across this lovely piece.

Ok so the photo of my hand ain't that flattering but it shows the ring. Cute man. I'm bringing love to me all day.

LOVE

Sun pups

Macro Life Scenes - Compassion

I read this notion on the train this morning:

Compassion is the awareness of a deep bond between yourself and all other creatures.

Next time you think you have nothing in common with someone just keep in mind that a few years from now, two years or seventy years or whatever, both of you will be rotting corpses, then piles of dust, then nothing at all. This is a fact. A very humbling fact.

I love having this kind of perspective and to illustrate it further I've picked out some rad scenes from movies, some of my all time faves, that really drive home how fleeting our time on earth is and how much we must relish every every every moment. My fellow bloggers feel the same here, and here.

I love the drama.

Gangs of New York Ending



I am Legend Car Scene (just the first part)
http://www.youtube.com/watch#!v=EgxgofbO0NA&feature=related

Thomas Crown Affair: the scene when she misses him at the helipad, he's gone, a flock of NYC pigeons take flight and then the view finder moves backward about three times to take in the entire city sky line of Manhattan (CANNOT find that link so you'll just have to imagine.)

Frederick L. Way III

This is a shout out to my mate Ricko. I found this add on something and it reminded me so much of him, same outfit really. Ricko, I finally get the 'chino' look.

I miss being your neighbour in 5 Ennismore. And I miss the Aussie treats (lamingtons and Cherry Ripes!) I would discover on my door handle with your personalized stationary. Just so you know, I've kept them as souvenirs.

Can we agree to that...?

Sex and the city 2 - I am woman (Girls singing in karaoke bar)

This is on repeat in my head - it's a beautiful day and I am woman.

HAY - YA!

Lemon Harvest

Our tiny lemon tree ended up producing these whoppers - citrusy fresh!

Super Sheikh

The verdict for Sex and the City 2:

1. fabulous fashion - TICK
2. fantastical opulence - TICK
3. dramatic hyper beautiful scenery - TICK
4. girl power (the "I am woman" karaoke scene seemed to be quite well rehearsed but roused it's intended female camaraderie ambience in the audience) - TICK
5. Men. I mean seriously, bring on Aidan and Lawrence of Arabia - TICK
6. character development - TICK

The downside, and yes sorry people, there is a downside to our fave foursome's latest exploits, is that in some parts its almost a little cringeworthy in terms of cultural sensitivity. I realise its about having a laugh, having lots of sex and having everyone knowing about it all the time. Though I can't help but wonder if this storyline glides a little too close to the razor sharp edge of the conservative Arabian nations' saif. Maybe I'm just jealous because I want an all expenses paid Abu Dhabi trip surrounded by obscene wealth and three besties to share it with...

Still, it was enjoyable and worth the two hours spent traversing on a magic carpet ride in a parallel universe.
Go and see it.

Whiteboard Wit

DO IT

DIY Skin Care

In keeping with my quest for creativity and to tune into Ms Gut, I enrolled in a DIY Skin Care workshop (No I will NOT end up like Kath Day Knight with my workshop and TAFE certs lining my walls). On a Sunday. I know.


But having scraped my lousy self out of bed I rocked up and was actually pleasantly surprised at how much fun I had. Let it be known, I'll have my Choos with a side of organic DIY, chars.


Fact: there have been relatively minimal studies conducted into the long term gradual systematic build up of synthetic chemicals within the body!!! Meaning that some synthetic chemicals that cannot be metabolised by the body will remain stored in our systems causing any number of ailments and detriment to our bodily temples. Shame.


Products to run for the hills from:


1. 1.4-dioxane
A carcinogenic contaminant - over exposure can lead to irritation, headaches, dizziness, narcosis, blood disorders and damage to the liver and kidneys. Really horrible shit.


2. Cocoamidopropyl Betaine
Can cause dermatitis, eye and skin irritation, occupational allergies


3. Sodium Lauryl Sulfact (SLS) and Ammonium Lauryl Sulfact (ALS)
Used in car washes, garage floor cleaners, engine degreasers and can cause eye damage, central nervous system depression, laboured breathing, diarrhoea, severe skin irritation, even death. This surfactant may also damage the skin's immune system by causing layers to separate and inflame.


4. Paraben preservatives (methyl, propyl, butyl and ethyl)
Extends the shelf life of products and widely known to be toxic relating to skin irritations, allergies and has been found to be encapsulated by tumours within the body. Horrible shit.


5. Imidazolidinyl urea
Releases formaldehyde which is a carcinogenic.


The GOOD NEWS is there are plenty of luscious alternatives to use that won't have such an adverse effect on us:


Essential Oils
Vegetable Oils
Beeswax
Emulsifying wax
Vegetable glycerin
Kaolin
Xanthum gum
Castile soap - soap made from olive oil
Exfoliants such as almond meal, sugar, epsom salts, poppy seeds, walnut shells etc.
Grapefruit seed extract
Rosemary extract
Vitamin E
Floral waters - used instead of normal water to boost healing properties.


AND I have loads of DIY recipes to share with you so you can make your own! Yessss

___________________________________________________________________

Citrus Zest Body and Foot Scrub 

(makes 100g so feel free to double or triple up if you're into your scrubs)

Mix:

4 tbsp raw sugar

2 tbsp poppy seeds

3 tbsp apricot kernel or sweet almond oil

Then add 6 drops each of lime, lemon and mandarin essential oil.

   Stir, scrub, glow.
___________________________________________________________________

Choo choo

It always takes me by surprise when a complete stranger blesses me when I sneeze.

Case in question: on the train this morning, sneezed and this school girl sitting across from me with an ipod plugged in, legs casually stretched across two seats issues a 'bless you!' Twice!

That never happened to me in london. But there was a time when I was bawling on the tube and two lovely girls passed me a tissue. I think it was more out of the fact that they couldn't stand the sight of the snot streaming down my face, rather than out of sympathy. Gross you say? Definitely. And an act of kindness I won't forget.

Thank you to girls on trains.