The VEB Review— it’s fine to mock rich people.
You people like to send me things that fall into two categories:
1. Things I cannot afford.
2. Things to demonstrate the extent to which my life is sad.
THANKS!
This 1884, Italianate mansion in Savannah, has a listing price of $3.5 million dollars… and if you look through the house tour, at some point you will ask yourself this: WHAT did they do to their floors to make them so shiny?
Is it paint?
Is it lacquer?
Is it the general patina of the physical manifestation of privilege?
You might also ask yourself: why is there a Vuitton valise displayed coyly at the end of the bed? Doesn’t this seem a little gauche and try-hard?
Do these people not understand that anyone viewing the photos knows YOU HAVE SEVEN BATHROOMS… we can see that you have already won life and can definitely afford to over-pay for a suitcase.
Molding envy aside, I was able to take a small amount of comfort that their furniture is mysteriously generic… I mean, tasteful and all, but like they bought everything from the Horchow catalog.
This is unfathomable to me, because if I could afford a $3 million home… I could also afford to fill it with the most magnificent antiques in the entire world. (Also, I could pay people to live my life for me so that I was not required to leave my house.)
What I’m reading:
A Season of Splendor: The Court of Mrs. Astor in Gilded Age New York: I’ve read this book at least 5 times, and it’s still my favorite of the Gilded Age genre; it’s an amazing slice of American (and architectural) history.
Some 500 workers from Europe had labored for seven years crafting the cavernous rooms from rare marbles, mosaics, and imported woods. The ceilings –even in the bedrooms– were an astonishing 19 feet high.
26 bedrooms, 31 bathrooms, 5 art galleries… and below the basement’s Turkish baths and swimming pool, a railroad spur brought in coal for the furnace which burned 7 tons on a typical day not only for heat but also to power two elevators, the cold storage plant, the air filtration plant, and the 4,200 light bulbs.
I recently finished Empty Mansions, which was great. (I had already read The Phantom of Fifth Avenue: The Mysterious Life and Scandalous Death of Heiress Huguette Clark which is essentially the same story as Empty Mansions, but I liked both of them.)
If this is your thing, I also recommended The Big House: A Century in the Life of an American Summer Home I wrote a whole post about it, back when I was still figuring out what my blog would look like.
Now. Please enjoy this photo of Elvis while I assemble my soapbox.
Products WITHOUT toxic chemicals are BETTER for you.
What we think of as fragrances, or suds, or staying-power, or stain-remover; in everything from lotion, hair products, cosmetics, deodorant, candles, detergent, perfume, all-purpose cleaners… are ACTUALLY chemicals; industrial chemicals.
- U.S. researchers report that one in eight of the 82,000 ingredients used in personal care products are industrial chemicals, including carcinogens, pesticides, reproductive toxins, and hormone disruptors.
- Dioxin, Formaldehyde, Triclosan, cocamide DEA, phthalates, parabens… the list is endless.
- And they are present in everything from BABY shampoo, to cosmetics, to laundry products, to perfume.
Just one example is the Washington University analysis of leading laundry products (detergents, dryer sheets, fabric softeners) which found MORE than 25 volatile compounds… including acetaldehyde and benzene; which are classified by the Environmental Protection Agency as carcinogens with no safe level of exposure.
Is this reasonable?
Because it does not SEEM reasonable.
If a product causes cancer, WHY do we want it in our homes, worn on our bodies, rubbed into our skin? I DO NOT KNOW THE ANSWER TO THESE QUESTIONS.
I’m not sure why no one has come up with a solution yet, but I have one: how about we JUST NOT USE TOXIC SLUDGE?
That toxic sludge has a secondary impact: in the United States, it’s tested on animals.
“Consumers are largely unaware that sentient creatures are still poisoned for the sake of new shampoo and lipstick.”– The Humane Society of the United States
Did you know that EVERY country in the European Union OUTLAWS cosmetic and household-product testing on animals as cruel and unnecessary? Yet the United States continues to allow corporations to dictate our values.
- Animals in US laboratories are exempt from animal cruelty laws.
- Legal tests include burning, poisoning, starving, forced inhalation, mutilating, blinding, electrocuting, drowning, and dissecting/amputation/surgery without painkillers.
- There are over 80,000 ingredients that companies can choose from to formulate their products– ingredients that don’t need to be tested on animals, because they’ve already been proven to be safe.
- Animal testing is funded with tax dollars, and it is a very lucrative business: delivering grants to universities, huge profits to pharmaceutical and chemical corporations, and funding for government agencies.
You can make a difference:
- VOTE WITH YOUR PURCHASES… even though your current shampoo/laundry soap/bodywash is past the animal-testing phase, it STILL contains toxins, AND you’re still supporting a company who is in the business of testing NEW products on animals… Instead, choose to support companies whose values align with yours!
- TELL OTHER PEOPLE! Educate your family and friends on the cruelty of animal-testing AND the lunacy of buying products that are toxic!
- SIGN PETITIONS… support the Humane Society’s efforts to pass the Federal Bill to End Cosmetics Testing on Animals… This is incredibly important, and YOUR VOICE MATTERS! (The Humane Society International was responsible for creating the change that resulted in an EU-wide ban!) Calling and writing to your representatives will make a difference… Here is a PETA petition.
Let’s say Unilever wants to create a new oven cleaner, shampoo, or laundry detergent… NOT because the world needs more of those things, but because sales and marketing are driven by new products, advertising, and increasing market share.
For fun, Unilever decides to use some new toxic substance because they are owned by Dow chemical (which just merged with DuPont chemical)… because chemical companies are in the business of making new chemicals!
***veers into conspiracy theorist lunatic ranting***arrives at shouting about how Monsanto’s board of directors includes CO’s of Colgate-Palmolive and Procter & Gamble***shakes fists***pulls own hair***redirects***
Almost every brand sold in America is owned by one of a few BIG corporations.
- THEY ALL TEST ON ANIMALS.
- They all sell you stuff with toxins.
- Johnson & Johnson, S.C. Johnson, Colgate-Palmolive, L’Oreal, Estee Lauder, Procter & Gamble, Clorox, Unilever, and Dial/Henkel.
AVOID THEM!
Instead! CHOOSE COMPANIES WHO ARE NOT EVIL SCOURGE OF THE EARTH, (as proven by my own strong opinions and also their willingness to put carcinogens in baby shampoo.)
Educate yourself! Big corporations are in the business of SELLING YOU STUFF. They have great marketing, huge budgets for lobbying, and a core interest in profit… they have figured out that a shampoo named Herbal Essence will sell WAY BETTER than a shampoo named Chemical Solvent Also In Pesticides.
This is called “green washing.” AND IT WORKS… Until you become aware of it.
- Greenwashing is the appropriation of environmental virtue by a company or industry, to create a pro-environmental image, to sell a product.
- The phenomena of socially and environmentally destructive corporations, attempting to preserve and expand their markets or power by posing as friends of the environment.
You can look for the leaping bunny certification… the one on the left is the most common and they also have an app (same as above I linked… NOTE: companies who are owned by parent companies who are NOT cruelty-free are annotated with a colored square.)
I USE:
- Seventh generation dish soap & laundry, (I buy it at the grocery store.)
- Alba Botanica body lotion (that’s a giant bottle, it’s cheapest online, but also avaliable at the grocery store)
- Whole Foods brand shampoo/conditioner comes in a big bottle and is super cheap, (I stock up during their 4x annual 25% off body products.)
- Crazy/delightful Dr. Bronners. I like almond for bathsoap/handsoap, (I cannot find a good price online… it should be about $12 for a 32oz bottle, which goes a LONG way… weirdly, the best price near me is at Bed Bath Beyond with a coupon; I go there every few months and buy all they have.)
Alright. I know you are sad this post isn’t longer with more links. But I still have one more thing to say:
Transitioning your home to a cruelty-free place, where you reduce your exposure to toxins, will take a little bit of time and research, but the benefits are huge. For you, for your family, for the animals, for the environment.
April 29, 2016 @ 9:04 am
Yay for lovely Elvis!!! And thanks for the infos on animal testing. So sad but important to share. On a lighter note, I assume you already know about the series Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries?! Setting and costumes are stunning and she’s adorable. I think you’d love her 🙂
April 29, 2016 @ 11:08 am
Thank you for the reminder, Victoria. This is another area I had not thought about and have spent the last two days reading more to try to understand how it is possible that animal testing is still used. I got my boyfriend on board and we’re switching over to better brands as we finish off household cleaners and personal care products.
April 29, 2016 @ 5:49 pm
Thank you!
You are the only one that has posted this corporate ownership thing.
I will heed and stop buying !
April 29, 2016 @ 5:55 pm
Thank you, thank you for this post. I am embarassed to say that I did not know that Seventh Generation made a powder. I have put it and the lotion on my wish list for when I run out of everything I have currently!
And, although I do not share your penchance for GFT, I do relate to your rambling turn of phrase and tendency for mile exageration. Every time I read, I laugh. Thank you for the brightness you bring to the internet! Keep it up!
April 29, 2016 @ 5:58 pm
Thanks for this post! You inspired me to call and email my representative to support The Humane Cosmetics Act and then post about it on facebook. Those poor beagles! It makes me nauseous now that I know what happens! I will definitely only shop for cruelty-free products from now on. Thanks again!
April 29, 2016 @ 8:30 pm
That is actually rather nice for 3.5 mio… in our area you will get a shack for this amount in probably an area with potential.
And don’t get too upset about chemicals, everything comes down to chemistry, I mean even “all natural” products do contain chemicals. Plants produce quite potent chemicals and even though I make my own soap from plant oils and sodiumhydroxide, these are still chemicals if you want so: triglycerides and fatty acids (oil)! Our bodies work because of chemicals, we need chemicals to feed us! Does the source really matter, if the substance is the same in terms of functionality? In terms of sustainability it matters for sure… I just try to cut down unnecessary additions or substitutes that are good for texture or smells but without any other purpose, which includes not buying any processed foods and making stuff like soap and shampoo from olive oil myself…
April 30, 2016 @ 10:55 am
Hi Victoria,
I may be repeating someone else’s comment, but I’m not going to read all of your 100+ responses (congratulations on your blogging success!).
There is a website for the Environmental Working Group (www.ewg.org). They have a fabulous rating system for household products and personal care items, including makeup, that identifies any potentially harmful ingredients. They just released an app that allows you to scan an item with your phone while you’re shopping to get the lowdown before you buy.
I hope you find this helpful,
Christine
May 1, 2016 @ 10:59 pm
There are so many incorrect statements above, I can’t even. Please do more research to educate yourself. There are plenty of laws governing animal research, even more than there are for human research. Please refer to the Animal Welfare Act and Animal Welfare Regulations. Animal testing by cosmetics companies is most certainly NOT funded by tax dollars. Rodents make up 95% of the species population for work with animals, NOT beagles. Beagles for Freedom and the Humane Society of the US (which is different from your local humane societies) are for-profit agencies that profit through propaganda and suckers giving donations. There is a difference (to me) between cosmetic testing and work with animals in a biomedical setting to find cures and treatments, but your statements above are mixing those up. Please see NABR.org, Americans for Medical Progress, USDA/APHIS webpages for more information.
May 2, 2016 @ 10:36 am
Fact:
The Humane Society (HSUS) is registered as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization… they are approved by any number of agencies, AND they receive high ratings as being ethical and effective when evaluated by third-party organizations.
I do not know how to reply to your certainty stating the opposite?
I can only assume that you’ve read something from “Center for Consumer Freedom” (CCF) or similar? ***PLEASE GOOGLE THEM!!*** before taking their propaganda at face value!!!! CCF is founded by Washington lobbyist Richard Berman and his firm Berman & Co… an industry front for corporate interests.
These groups focus their attacks on organizations that promote food safety, public health, or animal welfare… Do a tiny bit of googling and you’ll see that they’ve focused campaigns against everyone from Mothers Against Drunk Driving (those radicals!) to the US Center for Disease Control and Prevention.
May 3, 2016 @ 11:21 pm
People are. profiting. from those groups you mention. You should also continue to google to correct some of your statements above, especially about beagles being the “most popular animal used for animal testing.” That’s just plain false. I actually agree with you that animals should not be used for testing cosmetics or raw ingredients that have been tested previously. However, there continues to be a need for work with animals in finding cures and treatments, not just for humans, but for other animals too. My pets have benefited from this work, and I believe yours have too. Scientists that do this work, along with the animals themselves, are heroes. I just hope that all of us can educate ourselves about the needs, purpose, and conduct of this work, instead of blindly following propaganda put out by animal rights organizations.
May 4, 2016 @ 11:20 am
The Humane Society is an amazing organization. I’m not sure where you’re getting info otherwise, but my personal experience is that people arguing against them are familiar with the ad hominem attacks against HSUS, but not any specifics… I’m not saying that’s the case for you, but I’m not sure what you’re basing your statements on. (And I never linked to Beagle Freedom you referenced in your first comment, I don’t know anything about them!)
You are right that I wrote “Beagles are the most popular breed” I should have said dog breed. And I agree that this is inaccurate cosmetically, but my post is not limited to cosmetics; chemicals in household items are plentiful and tested on more than rabbits. And finding an image that is not VIOLENTLY objectionable to readers but still conveys the misery of unnecessary animal testing is difficult!!
Rabbits with no fur/bleeding skin/blinded with chemicals, or mice with grotesque tumors twice the size of their body would have been most “accurate.” But I was concerned that would be “too much,” or “a turn off,” and defeat my ultimate purpose of encouraging people to educate themselves about their own exposure, and also consider what we ask animals to endure… And I was not willing to just skip the imagery. There are no words to replicate the visual confrontation of our own emotions.
I do appreciate your feedback, it will help me do a better job. I plan to write more about compassionate living, and I want to do it in a way that is effective and engaging and makes people WANT to learn more, rather than turn their face away because they are overwhelmed… AND I need to keep it short… and trying to condense ALL the things I want to say into a brief, concise, helpful, easily-consumed post, feels like a tightrope act!
May 2, 2016 @ 6:10 am
Victoria – if you checked goodguide.com you will see that there are still some things in your chosen lotion that you really shouldn’t want in your body cream – there are suggestions at the bottom of the page of items that are rated healthier than the one you recommend. Just sayin . . .
http://www.goodguide.com/products/270292-alba-botanica-natural-very-reviews-ratings
May 4, 2016 @ 3:52 pm
Rose: My Life in Service to Lady Astor by Rosina Harrison
LOVED this book!
May 5, 2016 @ 11:45 am
I love this post! Our family has been transitioning from the potentially toxic home and personal care products made by those companies for healthier options. I’m in love with Young Living products right now. My husband, who is a hard sell, loves their shower gel. I love their toothpaste and making my own homemade lotion from their other products. My 7 year old son loves their kids products. I use Country Save laundry detergent and it’s amazing. I learned about it when we were cloth diapering and it worked so well on soiled diapers that I knew it would be great on clothing.
May 6, 2016 @ 9:41 pm
You did good on your soapbox. I try to inform people I care about on this topic. Just today I was ranting at a fragrance commercial. For real why is it legal? It serves no legitimate purpose, and pollutes your home poisoning your family. If something smells, clean it or open a window.
May 6, 2016 @ 9:49 pm
Mary Kay Cosmetics doesn’t test on animals. They stopped many, many years ago.
May 16, 2016 @ 2:39 pm
Another bookcase for you — or for all your readers who were coveting your find:
https://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/45049048_3-door-stepback-walnut-bookcase?utm_source=LA_Newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_content=itemrecommended&utm_campaign=20160516_ItemsRecommended
June 3, 2016 @ 9:51 am
Thank you for sharing this very informative and sad reality. You always make me laugh but today you inspired me to call my congressman and for his support of the Humane Cosmetics Act. I used the link you provided for the humane society and e- mailed Congressman Trott as well.
I shared this on facebook too.
It is shocking what is allowed to happen in the USA all because of corporate greed and profit. I too am enraged about the toxins and the whole Big Pharma issue too.
September 20, 2016 @ 2:30 am
I use Charlie’s Soap laundry detergent and Kiss My Face olive oil soap – they’re both fantastic! The soap only has three ingredients – olive oil, salt, and water. Neither company tests on animals either! I also use these wool balls (https://www.amazon.com/Smart-Sheep-Premium-Reusable-Softener/dp/B00GA9P5P0) in the dryer instead of dryer sheets – they last forever and don’t leave any nasty tallow/wax/residue on your clothes.