As promised here are my skincare favorites. I don't have many as I have a very minimalistic approach to skincare, but the ones I have I really love! I will group them by brands. 
PACIFICA
Pacifica is ultimately my favorite brand for skin care. Ever since I discovered their products I didn't want to use or even look at anything else. (from left to right) Walnut face scrub is my absolute favorite - it's not too rough, but neither it is too gentle. Exfoliating my face is a breeze now. Kale Water tonic is great for days when I don't feel like washing my make up off, as this tonic is great at removing make up and cleansing your face - without actually washing it. Quinoa face wash is gentle, good smelling and keeps my skin in check. It also is great at removing make up - even mascara! I also have my favorite face lotion by them, but I am currently all out of it (hence it's not on the picture), but it's called Dreamy Youth day and night cream - and it's heavenly. Pacifica has so many different products and I cannot wait to try more of them as I absolutely adore this brand. P.S. I am not affiliated with them, I just really love their products and statement mission <3 
I like C.O.Bigelow for many of their products, but especially for their lip balms and foot creams. I used to have their famous rose save long time ago and I loved it. However this lemon lip cream is quite spectacular as well - so easy and nourishing!
The mentha foot cream is nice and tingly - refreshing! They can be bought online as well, but I usually find them at Bath and Body Works. 
This is my recent find, but it's quickly became one of my favorites. The brand is called Pearllessence (I've never heard of it before), but I really like this Aloe and Green Tea face spray.
It's light and refreshing and it smells divine. To be honest I spray it not only on my face, but sometimes on my arms, if I feel like I need some extra moisturizing through the day. I can also see it being great for an after sun-burn spray. 
Here is a very boring but very favorite lotion of mine. I don't use it on my face, but it's great for hands and body - it's super moisturizing and it's unscented!
I wanted an unscented lotion for the longest time and couldn't find one from the brand I trust. Till I found Everyone brand- they are cruelty free and natural and have an amazing array of products - from lotions to essential oils. 
And last but not least - here are the two things I currently use on my hair.
They are from Trader Joe's (yes, the grocery store) and I love them so much. First of all they smell amazing. They are natural, organic, cruelty free, sulfates free and safe for colored hair. And they are extremely affordable - this is actually my third time re-buying the set I like it so much.
Those are pretty much all things I use - I covered my face, body and hair products. I don't have many, for the ones I have work wonders and I like sticking to basics. All of these brands are amazing in their own way, but all of them are cruelty free and most of them are organic too - which is a big deciding factor for me.
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So it was my birthday recently and one of the things I did that day was - go thrifting. Thrifting is my hobby, and what is a better way to spend birthday than to do things that you love? Here is my small thrifting haul.
I went to Goodwill and Plato's Closet and I think that I found some pretty great finds. 1. My new favorite dress (Plato's Closet - $14)
I've been looking for a dress like this for ages. I wanted something bohemian, but with long sleeves and mid lengths. I wanted pretty details and interesting sleeves. Needless to say that this dress is everything I've been looking for. It looks great with boots for Autumn season and will look great transitioning into spring.
2. Chic blazer (Goodwill - $7.49)
This blazer was originally from Express and I found it in a mint condition at a Goodwill store. It can be dressed up or down, especially with rolling the sleeves up and pairing it with jeans.
3. Burgundy sweater (Goodwill - $5.49)
This sweater immediately caught my eye with its rich, burgundy color. Now I have few pieces of this color already in my wardrobe, but I didn't have anything with such great knit texture. The sweater was originally from Sonoma and I can tell that the quality is excellent.
4. Cold shoulder sweater (Plato's Closet - $6)
I've been looking for a sweater like this for ages, but never could find one that I liked. Either the price was too high or material too flimsy. So when I saw this one for 6$ I was so happy - the fabric is so nice, and it's in my preferred grey color. Score!
5. Grey sweater with cut-out back (Plato's closet - $6)
One can't have too many grey sweaters - am I right? That is the way it is with me at least. I don't have anything with cut-out in the back, so I thought this would be a nice little addition.
6. Wrap up floral skirt (Plato's closet - $8)
I know it's winter and I won't get to wear this till spring at least, but I just couldn't pass up on this pattern. It's a wrap- up high low skirt - and the material was very, very nice.
This is it for my small thrift hall. some days I go and have awesome finds and some days I find nothing - but that is the thrill of thrifting. 
I am quite minimal when it comets my skincare and make-up. This is why I take great care to research the companies I buy my staples from. Because the things I buy - I use all the time. Here are 5 of my favorite natural, cruelty free and eco-friendly brands. I think they are great starters for those of you who are trying to transition to cruelty free cosmetics as each brand covers a wide range of different products. Let's start with my absolute NUMBER 1, shall we? 
Pacifica is my number 1 to go brand for all my skin care needs. I actually only discovered the company about a year ago - but I've been a huge fan ever since. Besides being cruelty free, organic and vegan, Pacifica also has the best packing ever! They are so fun and colorful!
Our mission is complete when we have delivered the best performing products, using safe ingredients, in recyclable packaging and components to the largest possible audience of beauty consumers. All Pacifica products are gluten-free, 100% vegan, and cruelty-free. Pacifica color is formulated without: Animal testing, animal ingredients, phthalates, parabens, sulfates, propylene glycol, mineral oil, petroleum, peanut oil, triclosan, and other ingredients you do not want on your skin. Plus all the good ingredients your skin craves. 
You heard it right, Trader Joe's has some amazing hair and skincare products for even more amazing prices. They are cruelty free and many are formulated with natural and organic ingredients (not all, but many). Their shampoo and conditioner sets are 2.99$ each, and you just can't beat that. Don't let the low price fool you though - the products are extremely good. In fact, that is the only shampoo I use now. They also have hard soaps, shower gels, face creams and serums, coconut oil and much more.
C.O. Bigelow has been one of my favorite brands for a while. I especially love their lip balms and salves, as well as their amazing shower products. My husband enjoys their hard soaps and shaving cream. They also have a great array of other products - such as house cleaning products, products formulated specifically for energy or relaxation and much, much more.
Their lemon line is especially delicious. C.O. Bigelow is cruelty free (PETA confirmed) and they list all of their ingredients on the front of their packing so you can see exactly what you are buying. 
I've discovered EVERYONE when I was looking for a good, ethical and fragrance free lotion (apparently the simplest things are the hardest to find!) I'm so happy to say that the lotion is now my most favorite lotion of all. Me and my husband both use it, hence the fragrance free, and we absolutely love it.
EO products are organic, gluten-free, GMO-free, cruelty-free and synthetic fragrance free. Here's EO's little motto : We think what we put on our bodies is as important as what we put in our bodies. We like to know what’s inside our lotions, soaps, and shampoos. So, here at EO®, we research, develop, manufacture, and ship our own products. We didn’t dream of being manufacturers--it’s hard work and often thankless. But we learned that the only way to ensure that the quality inside every bottle was up to our standards was to make it ourselves. I cannot think of a better brand for people who are sensitive to perfumes and smells. They have a wide range of products from skincare to essential oils. 
I have been resisting dying my hair for as long as possible. Granted I had dyed my hair a few times years ago: once back (a big mistake) and a few times into magenta-purple (that I loved). But as I grew older I found that I preferred natural hair color. Alas, the grey hair kept popping up (I have a hereditary early grey-hair).
But I never found a hair dye that would satisfy all of my needs. Mostly because they all STINK. Literally. The hair dye smell is horrid to me and it gives me headache. That's why I was so thrilled to find Herbatint - their hair dye have the most minimal smell I have ever experienced while dying my hair! Plus they are all natural, vegan and cruelty free. I am planning on using this brand forever and ever. The stay of the air dye is also longer than the average one, at least it was for my hair. Absolutely recommend.
Those are my most trusted and favorite brands of skincare, cosmetics and haircare. Most of the products I own are from these brands. Next week I will make a 'minimalistic skincare blog post' , where I share my staples and favorites, so look out for that one. 
Cosmetic Animal Testing is one of the cruelest industries in the world. You know why? Because it is the most selfish one.
Why must innocent animals suffer just so you can powder your nose or apply mascara on your lashes? How often do you think about animal cruelty? I'm going to say not often, for if you did - you wouldn't be supporting all of the companies who still condone it. It's 2017 - why do companies need to test things still? Hasn't everything already been invented? If it still needs to be tested - it makes one wonder - what is truly inside of out cosmetics? I am not going to insert horrible pictures and facts that expose the cruel animal testing industry. It leaves me a blubbering anxious mess for days, so if you need proof - google it. I know I did, about 8 years ago, and for me everything changed on that day. I was so furious that I threw out about 90% of cosmetics and cleaning supplies I owned, just because they weren't on the cruelty free list. Excessive? Wasteful? Sure, I agree, but I couldn't stand a thought of supporting these companies and their practices even a second longer. 
If you think that you not supporting companies who test on animals won't change anything - think again. Sure it won't help if only I do it. Or 10 people even. But what if there's a 100 of us? A 1000? A whooping 10,000? What happens then?
Companies start losing revenue. Don't believe me? Why do you think big companies such as Unilever and Johnson and Johnson started buying out smaller cruelty free companies and converting them to their practices? Because they couldn't compete in an honest competition. So they cheated. Buying out smaller companies successfully accomplishes 2 things: - It takes care of the competitor, for the competitor ceases to exist. - They keep getting revenues from the people who were supporting the cruelty-free company previously (it takes a while for people to notice the change, for why would we read labels of the companies we already trust?). Remember when St. Ives and Tresemme were cruelty free? Them being bought out came to be a very unpleasant shock. Big companies buying out smaller ones is both bad and good. It is bad, because we lose great companies that used to be ethical and made great product. It is good, because it means that the animal testing companies are panicking. 
It's easy to support cruelty free companies- all you have to do is read the label and look for a bunny sign on it. Some companies also just put words "not tested on animals" without the bunny sign.
You don't have to clean out everything you own and go buy all the new make up. But you can start shopping smart and choosing your products wisely in the future. Stop putting money in the animal cruelty. Please. I understand that it is a long way for us to stop eating animals completely, to stop promoting fast fashion industry that abuses its underage workers. A long way to help the climate and clean up the pollution. But we can do something about Cosmetic Animal Cruelty now! It is not necessary and it is not ethical. All we have to do is: - Stop buying from companies that still condone cruelty. - Share the message of Cruelty-Free make up with our friends, and everybody else. The results won't come quick, but they will in time. The companies will either be forced to stop their testing and convert to cruelty-free methods, or hopefully with time go out of business. But that won't ever happen if we all don't do our part. There are so many great Cruelty-Free makeup companies - I am sure you will find all of your substitutes easily. And cruelty-free companies are very often also organic and natural - hence, better for you. Cruelty Free Kitty has a list (which they constantly update) of Cruelty - Free companies. Check it out below.
And if you need more inspiration about going cruelty-free check out Evanna Lycnh on Instagram (she's an actress who played Luna Lovegood in Harry Potter films). She is a great inspiration. Her Instagram link down below.
It's still a bit to go till the holidays start, but I know that this is when most people start their holiday shopping.
If you are like me, you are probably already dreading all of the useless knick knacks that people usually get as presents. Here is a little (self-comprised) guide on how to shop for people who have minimalistic taste and tendencies (I don't call myself a minimalist, but I do have minimal approach to many things in life). - Ask. Asking if a person needs something specific for the holiday season is only a good sense. Instead of buying cute, but useless things, you can gift things that somebody needs and will actually use! I don't know about you, but I end up re-gifting or donating many of small gifts I get, because I don't have any use for them. - One gift is better than many gifts. When it comes to minimal people that is. I'd much rather have one nice gift that I will use ( and therefore always think of the person who gave it to me) than many, many small tinker gifts that will just clutter my space. I hate clutter.
- Gift cards.
Many people think that gift cards are impersonal and just a cheap way out, but I disagree. As long as you know the other person's taste and ask for their favorite place to shop - you are doing them a big favor! I'd much rather buy my own things, as I am very picky, than trust people to buy them for me. So yes, give me all of the gift cards! - Food baskets. Food baskets is an amazing gift. they are personal (as hopefully you will be making them yourself) and it's food, so everybody needs it. As long as you know other person's taste, allergies and food preferences - you can create amazing food basket that they will enjoy and think of you while they do. Food baskets ideas: tea and cookies basket, coffee basket, granola and dried snacks basket, array of cheese basket. -Minimal wrapping. When it comes down to it, people with minimal views on the world don't want any clutter, and wrapping up your presents in layers and layers of paper and bows will just make them cringe. Pick neutral colors, tie it with a simple ribbon and write a nice message on the card. Make sure that your wrapping is just as personalized as your gift for that person.
I am hoping to do a 'favorites' post every month - it will be comprised of random things I've enjoyed during the month. Music, anime, books, food, etc.
Favorite song: I had two one repeat this month A soundtrack from Seven Deadly sins anime - Seven Deadly sins by Man with a mission. And since it is October: This is Halloween from The nightmare before Christmas Favorite anime: You'd think that I'd watch something scary this month, but I haven't. At all. I binge watched a lot of Cardcaptor Sakura (they have it on CrunchyRoll) and Avatar the last Airbender (I know it's not technically an anime, but it just feels right to put it with others. I love Avatar so much - I don't think there ever will be a show as good as avatar. My favorite characters are : Zuko and Sokka (but I honestly LOVE all of them so much!). I've also watched The ancient magu's bride, but I wasn't much into it. I loved the animation, it was beautiful and the magic system was unique, but I couldn't stand the main character. Maybe I will do a mini review on that. I will watch the next episodes, hopefully I will change my mind and start liking it.
Favorite TV-show: This one is easy. Stranger Things (season 2) no competition. Binge watched it in one and a half days. So good. Favorite characters this season are: Dustin and Steve! 
Favorite book: I've read 10 books this month, but many of them were barely mediocre. My favorite one was actually a re-read, And then there were none by Agatha Christie. And the short novella The emperor's soul by Brandon Sanderson. I highly, highly recommend those two.
Random favorite: random favorite this month goes to scarves! I've been wearing a scarf every day - I love Autumn weather and I love, love scarves! (P.S. this picture literally looks like me) 
Favorite beverage: What a better question than to finish favorites with a favorite drink? And no it's not PSL! I'm not into that (although I did use to work at Starbucks). I'm pretty boring when it comes to my coffee - it's usually a vanilla flavor,or no flavor at ll. I've been drinking just regular coffee with milk, raw sugar and whip creme on top a lot lately. 
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AuthorA woman on a mission to simplify her life, while reading as many books and drinking as much coffee as possible.  Archives
July 2018
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