Your Guide to Sustainable Sample Boxes

March 31, 2013 by 3 Comments

Once upon a time, I was subscribed to three monthly beauty box subscription services. As well as finding that my bathroom cupboards were starting to overflow with samples, I also felt the products I was being sent didn’t gel with my personal ethics. Often, I would receive products from brands that I wouldn’t ordinarily touch with a barge pole. I ended up unsubscribing from all of them, one by one. I remember moaning to dear Sabine from Echolife that I wished there was a sample box subscription service that just featured ethical and eco-friendly brands. She suggested I start one up myself, to which I responded that I was 100% too lazy. And unorganised. With no business sense. Thankfully, others were less hopeless, and now there is a range of sustainable sample box subscription services to choose from. Let’s take a look.

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Lust Have It Eco Box ($29.95 AUD incl. shipping/quarter) *

Lust Have It are Australia’s largest beauty box subscription service, with a popular ‘mainstream’ monthly beauty sample box. In September 2012, Lust Have It launched a new quarterly ‘Eco Box’ (actually packaged in a drawstring hessian bag), featuring 6-8 ‘premium sample-sized’ eco-friendly beauty and skincare products. The semi-reformed beauty blogger in me really digs this box. The first box is a thoughtful mix of well-known ‘natural’ brands – Avado, Burt’s Bees, Kosmea – and some previously-undiscovered gems. Thank the lord, there are no sample sachets in sight. FYI: Lust Have It have stated that the dollar value of each Eco Box will be over $100. Some full-size items are available from the Lust Have It online store, but for many of them you will have to scout around the Net.

Biologica Lady Lya Eyeliner in No. 382 ($20), full size = $20 value
Avado Sensitives Organic Gel Exfoliant ($14.95/100mL), full size = $14.95 value
Live Clean Exotic Nectar Argan Oil Treatment ($19.95/110mL), 30mL sample = $5.45 value
Burt’s Bees Lip Shimmer in Rhubarb ($9.95), full size = $9.95 value
Sranrom Awakening Vitality Body Lotion ($30/200mL), 75mL sample = $11.25 value
Kosmea Radiance 24/7 Youth Boost ($39.95/20mL), 10mL sample = $21.95 value
Wicked Wix Organix Baby Jar in Bliss ($14.95/57g), full size = $14.95 value

Total value = $98.50 AUD

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Native Box ($20.95 AUD incl. shipping/monthly) *

Launching in November 2012, Native Box is a monthly sample box subscription service, featuring a range of eco-friendly and ethical lifestyle products. Native Box seems designed to give you a little taste of everything – each box contains 10+ samples. The website doesn’t have an online store, but each month you are provided with each brand’s website address. The information sheet also notes which products are vegan, which is brill. In December’s box, there was a balanced mix of skincare products, super foods and supplements, mineral makeup, tea, and snacks. The snacks – the veggie chips and gingerbread man – got snapped up immediately. I’m not so keen on the inclusion of sample sachets (they are packaging-intensive). I’ll also pass on the spirulina sample – there are only select circumstances in which I’ll take tablets divvied up into a little plastic baggie by a stranger, and this is not one of them.

Phytocare Omega Smooth in Sweet Lemon ($19.80/250mL), full size = $19.80 value
Island Sky Hand Made Goat’s Milk Soap (price unavailable)
Adorn Cosmetics Eyeshadow in Coral Pearl [vegan] ($15/1g), full size = $15 value
Ajitas Vege Chips [vegan] ($2), full size = $2 value
Ayana Organics Vanilla Body Butter [vegan] ($37.65/250mL), 5mL sample = 75c value
Morelife Spirulina 1000mg Tabs [vegan] ($27.95/500 tabs), 20 tablet sample = $1.10 value
Gingerbread Folk Chocolate Gingerbread Man [vegan] ($1.60), full size = $1.60 value
Adore Tea Australian Green Tea [vegan] ($9.50/50g), ’2-cup taster’ sample = 95c value
Kuranda Chinoa Health Bar [vegan] ($3), full size = $3 value

Total value = $44.20 AUD value

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Notox Box ($25 AUD incl. shipping) *

Launching in October 2012, Notox Box is a monthly sample box subscription service, featuring a range of eco-friendly and ethical lifestyle products. You can buy a full-size version of all the products included in the Notox Box from their online store – the online store has a very nifty function that allows you to see whether or not each product ticks the following boxes: certified organic, fair trade, cruelty-free, vegetarian, vegan, hand-made, and made in Australia. Notox Box has a smaller number of samples than Native Box, but happily in this case there were no sample sachets to be found (apart from the teabag). This box had the slimmest value-for-money ratio, but I certainly wouldn’t have felt ripped off if I had bought it. February’s box contained a balanced mixture of skincare, homewares, food, tea, super foods and supplements – and that candle smells like heaven, I swear.

Blacktea Soy Candle in White Tea & Ginger [vegan] ($44.95/300g), 57g baby jar = $8.55 value
Olive Oil Skincare Co. Olive Oil Soap with Manuka Honey ($6.95), full size = $6.95 value
Nutra Organics Super Greens + Reds [vegan] ($39.95/250g), 3g sample = $1.20 value
Power Superfoods Cacao Powder Gold [vegan] ($12.95/225g), 5g sample = 30c value
Absolute Organic White Quinoa [vegan] ($5.95/400g), full size = $5.95 value
Spiral Foods Mung Bean Chips [vegan] ($4.95), full size = $4.95 value
Pukka Love Tea [vegan] ($7.95/20 sachets), sample sachet = 40c value

Total value = $28.30 AUD value

I totally get the sustainability arguments against sample box subscription services, no matter what the contents – they are inevitably packaging-intensive, need to be posted in the mail, and can be wasteful (if you do not use some of the products). However, they are also an awesome way to find out about smaller sustainable brands and explore new things, and you all know (if you follow me on Twitter) that I have no issues with palming off my unwanted stuff to anyone who will take it. If you subscribe to one of these sample boxes and you find you do not use some of the products, make sure you find them a good home – I find when I leave a box of goodies on the lunch table at work, everything is gone in a blink of an eye.

* These products were provided for consideration in accordance with the Disclosure Policy.

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Baby It’s Cold Outside: Australis Nail Colour in ‘Sweetpea’ NOTD

March 22, 2013 by 10 Comments

0S7A0669I’m very excited about two things at the moment: one is that I now have enough time to start blogging again, and the other is that the weather is finally starting to cool down, so I can break out the jeans, jumpers, and these brill hand warmers. On my nails is a beauty-blogger favourite that I’m loving sick at the moment: Australis Nail Colour in ‘Sweatpea’ ($7.95 AUD). The pastel mint cream is a bit brighter than most pastel nail polishes, which stops it from ever looking streaky, and it’s pretty opaque, so you’ll only need two coats. Ah, the cozy life.

0S7A0673P.S. Speaking of the weather cooling down, I recently wrote a guest post for the Sukin blog, talking about why I love incorporating rosehip oil into my Autumn skincare routine. Check it out!

Note: Australis do not participate in animal testing [link].

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Op Shop Find of the Day: Scottie Dog Glasses

February 13, 2013 by 11 Comments

Scotty Dog GlassesMiniature glasses with frolicking Scotty dogs, polka dots, and gold rims. $2 for four! No, I don’t know what I’ll use them for either.

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Firebird Bath & Body Haul – Cherry Limeade, Pomegranate Rose, Grapefruit Ginger

February 6, 2013 by 8 Comments

Firebird Bath and Body Cherry Limeade, Pomegranate Rose, Ginger GrapefruitI suffered a devastating emotional blow recently, when I realised I’d somehow lost my beloved Firebird Gingerale Perfume Oil (featured here). Firebird Bath & Body is a one-woman small business based in Baltimore, USA, which specialises in handmade perfume oils, soaps and bath salts, as well as tinted and untinted lip balms. Owner Brooke says that her scents are inspired by things like, “a wooden cigar box, the smell of the ocean in winter, or the scent of your clothes after a night around a camp-fire.” Lush.

Even worse, when I logged onto the Firebird Bath & Body Etsy store, the Gingerale Perfume Oil was NOWHERE TO BE FOUND. *PANIC ATTACK*. Finally, I settled on the new Grapefruit Ginger Perfume Oil ($9.00USD), throwing in Pomegranate Rose Perfume Oil ($9USD), Pomegranate Rose Botanical Bath Salts ($5USD/70g), and Cherry Limeade Soap ($5.50USD) for good measure.

My parcel arrived yesterday, enveloped in a perfumed fug. I’m making friends with Grapefruit Ginger Perfume Oil; it’s still got a lot of the zingy ginger of my old favourite, but it is soften by the juicy sweetness of the grapefruit. Pomegranate Rose Perfume Oil and Bath Salts are just an all-out floral-lolly-fest – totally gorgeous if that’s your sort of thing (like it is mine). Cherry Limeade Soap is the only BAH-BOW for me; just a little too much like the god-awful cough medicine my Mum used to have us take as children when we had sore throats (or were at least pretending to have sore throats in order to miss a day of school)… I see what you did there, Mum.

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Baked Breakfast Eggs in Tomato Sauce Recipe

February 3, 2013 by 3 Comments

Baked Breakfast Eggs in Tomato SauceI love breakfast (the meal most friendly to vegetarians), and I love how the entire world seems to have wholeheartedly taken up breakfasting in recent years. Everyone’s in my special breakfast fan club. Johanis and I have a terribly expensive habit of going out for breakfast at least once a week, if not twice and/or at dinner-time. However, if we’re to ever leave the state, let alone the country, we’ve come to understand that we must cut back on expensive habits (which are, incidentally, my very favourite habits).

And so, this recipe. We may be flicking over to hyper-saving mode, but I still want my special weekend breakfast (on the cheap). If you’re still lying in bed this sleepy Sunday morning, considering breakfast, you must consider these baked eggs in tomato sauce. You’ve probably got all of the ingredients in the fridge or pantry cupboard already, it’s easy, fairly healthy, and super-yum. You can also throw in anything else you like and make it a filling meal – more herbs, mushrooms, spinach, cheese (do not say chorizo, you’re killing me!).

P.S. Tine from Beautyholics Anonymous has just featured me and The Cat’s Pyjamas in her ‘Five Minutes with my Favourite Blogger’ series (here). I’M SO CHUFFED! There’s even a collage! Gosh.

Baked Breakfast Eggs in Tomato Sauce
 
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Prep time

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Total time

 

Author:
Recipe type: Breakfast
Serves: 4

Ingredients
  • 700g jar of tomato passata
  • A splash of olive oil
  • 1 brown onion, sliced
  • 2 cloves of garlic, minced
  • 1 small handful of basil, chopped
  • Dried chilli flakes, to taste
  • 4 free-range eggs
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions
  1. Preheat the oven to 180 degrees Celsius.
  2. Fry the sliced onion and minced garlic in a splash of olive oil in a large frying pan for about 10 minutes, or until the onion is softened but not browned.
  3. Add the tomato passata and basil and simmer for another five minutes or so. Season with dried chilli flakes, salt and pepper to taste.
  4. Spoon the tomato sauce mixture into four ramekins or small oven-proof bowls, dividing the mixture evenly. Crack one egg into each ramekin/bowl.
  5. Place the ramekins/heat-proof bowls on an oven tray and bake them in the oven for between 15-20 minutes. Start checking the eggs regularly after 15 minutes have passed. Ideally, take them out of the oven when the egg whites have set slightly but the yolks are still runny.
  6. To finish, place the ramekins/heat-proof bowls under a hot grill for approximately 2 minutes to brown the tops.

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Sneaky Lunch-Time Op Shop Haul

January 31, 2013 by 4 Comments

If I don’t scale back on my op-shopping soon, I’m going to amass enough second-hand clothing so as to not appear in the same outfit twice in at least a year. As if I were Victoria Beckham’s baby. Which isn’t my style, really. As I’ve mentioned, I pretty much wear the same thing every day. In fact, even when I’m shopping second-hand, I tend to find infinite variations on the same themes: loose tunic tops, striped everything, chunky knits. Grey, white, navy. I think the crux of my over-shopping issue is my feeling that I’ve been let in on a secret: “Do people actually realise that you can buy three tops for $15? That are not fugmo? And buying them helps to opt out of our disposable culture? MUST BUY THEM ALL NOW!” 

That being said, I couldn’t resist (well, I could have resisted, but my heart wasn’t really in it) buying these three tops from a local op-shop on my lunch break at work today: a grey Sussan tunic, a black-and-white stripe Country Road t-shirt, and a navy Wombat knit jumper. I’m totally in love with the grey tunic in particular – right now I’m anxiously waiting for the washing machine to stop spinning so I can hang it out to dry, ready to wear tomorrow with leggings and flats. Oh, and I also picked up a copy of Ayaan Hirsi Ali’s Nomad for $3… Yeah… I’ll get there. 

Filed Under: Fashion Tagged With: , , , ,

Hello Darling 5-Free Nail Lacquer in ‘In the Navy’ NOTD

January 30, 2013 by 6 Comments

Hello Darling Nail Polish in In The Navy

The kind of colour that’s approved by mothers, fashionistas, governments and The Village People alike. Ahoy there, sailor!

Because it’s three-thirty in the afternoon on a Wednesday after a public holiday, here is a picture of my favourite blue nail polish, Hello Darling 5-Free Nail Lacquer in In the Navy ($18.95AUD). I love it because – thanks to a brightened blue base – In the Navy always looks like a deep inky blue, never black. Hello Darling are a female-led Sydney start-up nail polish brand, whose products are vegan, animal testing-free, and formulated without toulene, formaldehyde or formalehyde resin, DBP or camphor.

P.S. I got double good karma points for the top I’m wearing in this picture. It’s from my favourite sustainable fashion brand People Tree, and I bought it second-hand from eBay for $1AUD. SUPER SCORE.

* This product was provided for consideration in accordance with the Disclosure Policy. Hello Darling do not participate in animal testing.

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Steamcream 3-in-1 Moisturiser [Night Before Christmas Design]

January 27, 2013 by Leave a Comment

Steamcream 3-in-1 MoisturiserContinuing my long tradition of irrelevance, I thought I’d show you my brand new Steamcream 3-in-1 Moisturiser in Night Before Christmas ($21.65AUD). Well, it’s 331 nights before Christmas. If you’re cringing right now, I strongly recommend you avoid my loungeroom, where you may happen upon a half-dead Christmas tree.

My love for these multi-purpose moisturisers is deep, strong, and well-documented (see here and here). Made in the UK, Steamcream 3-in-1 Moisturiser is created with natural ingredients (although it does contain tiny amounts of parabens as a preservative) using an unusual steam infusion method. The end result is a delightfully wobbly, lavender and rose-scented, super-moisturising cream. And it’s vegan!

I kind of think that the best thing about Steamcream 3-in-1 Moisturiser is the tin. Although the contents are always the same, each metal tin features a limited-edition design. As well as working with established designers, Steamcream runs a design competition every year (see the 2012 winner, ‘Lighht From Space’, here). Once you’ve finished the tin, you can wash it and use it to store bits and bobs.

I was able to snaffle up one of the marked-down Christmas design tins on ASOS left over from the holidays. A total cheapskate at heart, I am content with it being Christmas on my face all year round. That design is now gone, but there are lots available on ASOS at the moment – I thought this one might be fitting for The Cat’s Pyjamas?

* Steamcream does not participate in animal testing. It is a vegan brand. This post contains affiliate links.

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Vegetarian & Vegan Australia Day Barbeque Ideas

January 25, 2013 by 8 Comments

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAIt’s Australia Day this Saturday, one day of the year when it is literally considered unpatriotic not to grill something. Eight months into meat abstinence (LOL), it still feels a bit weird to be a vegetarian at a barbeque. It’s not that I’m ever confronted by people questioning my dietary choices (because I don’t hang out with jerks), but barbeques in Australia are meat-centric experiences and if not adequately prepared I’m struck by FOMO (that’s fear of missing out, Mum). Whether or not you celebrate Australia Day, here are some hand-picked vegetarian and vegan barbeque ideas:

Jamie Oliver Killer Mexican Barbecued Corn on the Cob
I love corn on the cob. Grill it and cover it with cheese, chilli, lime and I would marry it if I could.

101 Cookbooks Grilled Salt and Vinegar Potato Slices (vegan)
Yum! This is the souped-up version of the plain potato slices we threw on the barbie growing up.

The Pioneer Woman Grilled Zucchini with Yummy Lemon Salt (vegan)
I also love grilled zucchini. The addition of lemon salt makes it so fresh and zingy. Do want.

Post-Punk Kitchen Quarter Pounder Beet Burgers (vegan)
BAM. These are for real. I’m the type of vegetarian who perks up at the description of their ‘vaguely disturbing meat-like appearance.’ These contain heaps of plant-based protein as well.

Veggie Num Num Sundried Tomato and Pinenut Seitan Sausages (vegan)
Packet vegetarian sausages at a barbeque are a bit depressing, aren’t they? I am pining for one of these with tomato sauce wrapped in soft white bread.

Delicieux Crunchy Cucumber Salad
After I’d filled up with grilled veggies, burgers and sausages, I’d so appreciate this simple, cool, crisp salad.

Easy as Vegan Pie Lamingtons
I know, I know. I couldn’t resist.

PSA: The molten gorgeousness on my nails is Zoya Nail Lacquer in Jules, which I snaffled up for $5AUD from Jac’s blog sale this week.

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The Cat’s Pyjamas Launch Giveaway Winner Announcement

January 23, 2013 by 2 Comments
The Cat's Pyjamas Launch Giveaway

Thank you so much to everyone who entered The Cat’s Pyjamas’ launch giveaway. I really appreciate everyone’s thoughtful responses to my question about improving this blog. There were four prizes in the pack, including:

1. Korres | Raspberry Antioxidant Liquid Lipstick Trio in Soft Pink, Red & Berry ($35.95AUD)
2. Ethical Consumer Group | Shop Ethical! The Guide to Ethical Supermarket Shopping ($8.95AUD)
3. People Tree | Bead Cluster Earrings ($13.60AUD)
4. Blue Q | French Lecon Pouch ($8.50AUD)

I used the Rafflecopter giveaway widget to draw the winner. Congratulations to Michelle A.K.A Lab Muffin! If Michelle does not respond to my notification email within 48 hours, I will draw a new winner.

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