Tagging Fun - All about self-care.

Last week I was tagged by Lana on her blog Tabouleh . A fun subject for a blog post, namely "What is in your make up bag?" and also to share 7 - 10 things about yourself.

What is a fun game, turns into a major task for me. As some of you might have gleaned by now, fun is something I have to work at. So I apologise in advance for draining any fun out of this subject. ;)

It was a good opportunity to look at what is actually in my make-up basket (like Lana I don't have a make up bag and don't wear very much of the stuff). Never have. I have never really found any foundation that suits my skin type and really struggle with the whole putting on make-up thing. I do like mascara and blusher though and tend to put mascara on everyday.

In the bathroom - August 2011

This examination was very useful, firstly it showed me just how old the make-up I use is.....don't like spending money on it really so it tends to last me a long time. I occasionally splurge on some new treats but then gasp in horror at the price of the stuff! Just call me Mrs Scrooge. However after saying all that, I have decided to treat myself to some new items over the next few weeks. I am sure the state of my basket, with broken containers and elderly tubes, is enough justification for a spending spree(notice how the photo above is very craftily angled to prevent a full view inside - red-faced shame going on here!). Plus I read something about needing to replace mascara regularly for hygiene reasons.

Secondly, I began to look more closely at the products...what was in them, were they tested on animals etc. As someone who is always declaring my good intentions loudly, and then sometimes doesn't live up to them, I need to keep on my toes in this regard. So my shopping spree will involve some re-research to make sure I am continuing supporting ethical trading and production of costmetic and skin care products. I pulled out some of the sites that will help with this and have listed below in case they are new to anyone and if anyone has any links that can help then please post in the comments section.

Ethical consumerism report 2011

Ethical Consumer(UK)

Ethical Consumer Guide(AUS)

Wikepedia - Ethical Consumerism

Ethical Superstore

So not much else to say about my make-up habits really. On to the next part of the tagging game.

1. I have many good intentions. Which is I suppose better than having none. I suppose if I managed to live up to all of them I would be a very tiresome person to be around?? However I do let myself off the hook rather too easily!

2. Reading all about natural remedies and using plants and herbs for beauty treatments has been so inspiring during this tagging exploration. That has been one of my intentions for a long time, to get back in touch with mother nature and become like a "wood dwelling wise woman", brewing spells and remedies in my cottage. I was so interested in a TV programme last year called Grow Your Own Drugs, which was all about this. Mr StayingAwake and myself are currently drying herbs at the allotment and I have just gathered some lavender to use to make an eye-pillow that I can use in relaxation.

3.You already know that I sometimes struggle to find my funny bone. I am so unfunny sometimes it is funny - ie., I do not mean to be funny but still make people laugh. I do like funny stuff though and can easily be made to laugh. I am working on the having fun part of me which has gone a bit astray in past years. Here is one of my favourite funny people.....

 

4. I feel undressed without my junk jewelry on each day. On Thursday I forgot to put in my earings which almost never happens. I am unlucky with earings and jewelry however as they often break or I lose them. I like to choose items that have some meaning attached.

 

5.  I like to collect stones. Also shells too and bits of wood, but mainly I like to collect stones.

I read this blog post  last week and was awed at the photography and the care taken over this person's rock collection.

Just beautiful - go over there and have a look do.

I humbly offer my hastily taken photographs of a couple of my favourite rocks.

I might try to tell some stories about them in another post now I have been inspired by Brooke.

6.  Ooh it's becoming more difficult now. Ah I know.....Yoga.

After years of intending to practice yoga, I am now making this a regular part of my week. Hopefully it will become a regular part of my day too.


I am already feeling a difference in my body. Listening to my body is a new concept to me.

7. Food. Another of my intentions for a long time has been to give up eating meat. I often lamented about how difficult it was for me to do this and blamed living with two meat eating and meat loving males. It is not difficult to do this, even while still living with one of those males still. If I want to do it badly enough I will. Otherwise we/I have a healthy diet with lots of fresh vegetables and wholegrains, while we both enjoy many similar foods there are some massive differences which makes shopping and cooking difficult. I tend just to give in for an easy life and let him take over. That has to change I think - the time has come. For example, lentils are one of my favourites...he dislikes them, similarly soups, pasta, baked potatoes, any vegetarian speciality foods, new potatoes. Arrgh. This has turned into a bit of a moan. ;) However, he is changing in someways....I would only buy free-range eggs and chicken however expensive and he is now also doing the same with the eggs. He has also started to think more about using local shops and farms, rather than supermarket for everything. This takes some planning as we both work and time is short. Good intentions again! ;)

So that's it. Phew.

Now I have to tag some other lovely people. Keeping the list short as many people are away for the summer or busy, busy away from blogland.

Tagged......

Monica at The Creative Beast

Birdie at 40 and Loving it

Ilona at Life After Money