BETTER

i want to be a better person. i want to help people and animals. i don't want to take my life for granted and give others a better chance. as much as i hate to admit it, i am a grown up. i'm married, own a house, work for an amazing company, and have a little guy to take care of. in my ideal world i would be volunteering all my time to ngo's (non governmental organizations) and shelters but that doesn't pay the bills. so instead i give money, goods, and at least once a month i chose a 5k charity and run.

if you're interested in donating time, money, or things i recommend (and have used) GlobalGiving, causes.com, hands on greater portland, homeplate, komen race for the cure, the girl effect, the red cross, operation home front, uso, veterans of vietnam war, oregon humane society, aspca, and the oregon dachshund rescue, humane society of the united states. there are so many worthy organizations
that need money or a hand.

i've also been a vegetarian for about 2 years. i originally became one because i simply don't like the taste of most meats. i can count on one hand how many burgers i've ever had in my lifetime. but now i think of the poor animals are slaughtered and/or live miserable lives. i try my best not to project my ideals onto others. whats feels right to me may not be someone else's cup of tea. but look at these cute little faces...



i would never be able to go full vegan because i love cheese too much. peta is a pretty extreme group but they have wonderful resources. they have become my main source for products that are vegan and not tested on animals. it's been sad to find out that almost everything i use is tested on animals...mac, matrix, benefit, kiehl's, clean & clear... i don't intend on getting rid of the current products i have, the damage has already been done and i don't have money to replace everything. but going forward i want to do my best to buy from companies that don't test on animals. that means no more leather, it is someone else's skin after all. no more wool, unless i know where is comes from like a local small farm that doesn't mistreat the sheep or alpacas.
below is a list of peta approved products (companies). you might be surprised to find recognizable brands.

search for cruelty free companies here

companies that do test on animals pdf

companies that don't test on animals pdf

• stila: the smudge pot is very close to the paint pots in mac. i use the black for eyeliner with a small angled brush. all day waterproof brow color, love. it is very subtle so i might also get the medium color for when i want a more dramatic look.
• too faced: i bought tinted beauty balm to replace my kiehls tinted moisturizer. i also want to try insurance eye shadow primer and chocolate soleil bronzer (this is made with cocoa powder it might make me crave chocolate even more then i already do.) too faced has a lot of great lip colors and glosses too. i'm more of a burt bees balm and on special occasions bright red or pink lip so at this time i am not in need of getting new lip color.
• bare minerals: i really like flawless definition volumizing mascara. it doesn't clump while still giving length. i'm not sold on the eye brightener.  i don't think is stays on very well. i do want to try the READY bronzer, warmth all over face color, and SPF 20 correcting concealer.
• jason natural: i haven't received my stuff yet but i ordered rosewater body wash, thin to thick extra volume hair spray, pure natural makeup remover pads, deodorant for women and men (so my jason can try it and maybe i can convert him).

(personally i like shopping online because it's a lot easier then fighting traffic but i'm also very impatient. stila, too faced, and bare minerals can also be found at nordstom, macy's, sephora, and other stores.)
(a few jason products are carried at many stores but online has the best selection.)