Isn’t it funny how life works in cycles? On a road of self discovery regarding food for about the last two years, it spilled over to the products I buy for skin and hair. Remember my hair experiment post? I am happy to say that I now use bulk organic shampoo that is refilled at The Farmacy, a health food store of sorts, about an hour away. While the drive is a factor, I must drive an hour in any direction to get to a yoga studio and Athens has one I love! In my visit to Athens, I’ll typically take a class, go to the farmers market, visit the Farmacy and eat at a restaurant that serves all local food. To me, it is worth it.
Did I mention that this shampoo is ALL I use now? No conditioner. No hairspray. No blow dryer. Every now and then I’ll use apple cider vinegar to rinse, or sometimes Dr. Bonner’s Castile Soap diluted in water. It makes my hair softer. Some can use it as a shampoo. It just didn’t work for me in that way. It does work, however, as a body/face soap and to condition my hair. I now buy it in bulk too – less plastic! Because it is all natural and made with oils, I no longer use lotion on a regular basis. Coconut oil if my skin is dry works perfectly well just out of the shower. Less is more is a true statement for me, and I’m excited to have made the changes in my life. There is less clutter and it makes traveling so much easier. To continue on this path, I’m going to examine more closely my cosmetic choices. Luckily, I read Y’s blog at fiveseed yesterday, which provided wonderful information about the cosmetics industry. Check it out! I don’t wear much makeup anyway, eyeliner and mascara from time to time. But this post and further examination may allow me to go further on this path as well.
Next topic: I just found this site today, through a New York Times article. Have you heard of six items or less? It was an experiment that began on June 21st and concluded yesterday. People signed up and pledged attempted to wear six items of clothing or less for one month. The six items did not include underwear, swimwear, workout apparel, outer apparel, etc. As the site says, it’s an open pledge, or experiment examining the power of what we don’t wear. They plan to run another challenge sometime at the end of August or beginning of September. I signed up today. If interested, visit the sixitemsorless site and sign up too. Leave me a comment, telling me you did so. We can encourage each other once the challenge starts.
Happy Thursday! Peace Love and Light . . .
I am filled with admiration Heather! I am wearing more than six items now (I’m guessing accessories count)!
I live for accesories and pretty clothes and eyeliner and I know for a fact six items isn’t something I could do and be happy. That sounds so very very shallow! It’s not meant to, but I am fascinated to see how you get on. I hope if you do it you will blog about it! x
Hey Rachel! I will definitely blog about it! Actually, accessories DO NOT COUNT! That’s why I thought I’d give it a go. I accessorize a lot . . . bracelets, scarves, hats. Shoes don’t even count (I don’t think). Although, I go straight from flip-flops to Ugg boots anyway. Basically the experiment boils down to picking six staples to get you through one month. I’m excited!
Hmmm.. maybe that’s not so hard then. I tend to wear black and then lots of scarves, bracelets etc (like you I’m either flip flops or Ugg boots although we do get ballet pump season in the UK!). It should be a really interesting project!
OMG Rachel . . . we are SO alike, our stories AND our apparel. I wear black A LOT too, plus scarves and bracelets to change it up. So funny. Oh, I forgot . . . I live in my black knee hi rain boots when Uggs and flip flops aren’t appropriate. You gotta do this with me
I am so supportive of minimalism efforts and challenges (especially the “100 things” movement that was popular a couple of years ago). This one, however, is just honestly not possible in my life at the moment. I work full-time in a corporate environment where we’re expected to dress business casual. I have fewer clothes than most of the women in my dept (I am not that attracted to fashion in general). If I didn’t work there, I could easily pare it down to about 10 things. One pair of jeans, a few shirts I like, two pairs of shoes, and tada. But here I’m expected to dress the part and people would notice if I only had two outfits. I will have to try other ways, I guess!
http://zerowastehome.blogspot.com/2010/04/zero-waste-closet.html
check out this entry at zero waste home for motivation.
Good luck!
Love this post! I’m so happy to hear about your beauty routine journey! (If you ever want to write about it as a guest blogger at Five Seed, drop me a line! Oh, and thanks for the link!)
I love the name Farmacy, too! (Did I spell that right?)
As for the clothes thing, I was going to write about something similar at Five Seed soon. I didn’t know about that challenge, though. It makes me more inspired to do the post!
I think it would be fairly easy for me if all the “extra clothes” (like pjs and yoga wear) don’t count. Honestly, I only end up wearing a fraction of what is in my closet. But Rachel, I know what you mean about loving clothes – I’m a clotheshorse! But really, I probably buy more than I regularly wear. (More on that in my post!)
Can’t wait! Yes, I love the name too . . . Farmacy instead of Pharmacy. Clever, ehhh?
Well now I’ve discovered that accessories don’t count I might think again. Also I live in yoga clothes and workout wear doesn’t count so maybe I could get away with one item a month ha ha ha!!!!
went to check out the website. was amused by how many of the participants look like hipsters who seem to be so freaking style obsessed in a “im not style obsessed” kind of way. how many pairs of skinny jeans does one need, in fact?
Oh, you’re funny Emma! Yeah, I’m not so hipster looking. In fact I have no skinny jeans, just a lot of yoga pants.
I wish I could do less with my hair, but I just can’t. It looks horrible if I try.
But the clothing thing – I’m totally on board for less. I tend to buy flexible pieces…like a black skirt that I’ve had forever that I wear all the time. It’s the only black skirt I own and I wear it winter and summer. Also jeans – I wear the same pair until they wear out. My last pair – I wore a hole in the seat!
I’m going to check out that website.
That’d be cool if you did it too Shana! It’s a loose challenge. I’m already thinking of giving myself 10 pieces of clothing instead of 6! But the accessorizing is what makes it and it will be interesting to see if anyone actually notices! I’m not sure they will!
sorry i’ve been away from bloggy land! And look what i’ve missed!
Congrats on finding something that works for you. Less can be more… and I’ve just run out of face cleanser. Last time I tried water only it didn’t really work so well…. maybe I should try again.
You’ve given me food for thought Heather
Thank you!