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 $12 for a 32oz bottle, which goes a LONG way… weirdly, the best price near me is at Bed Bath Beyond with a coupon; I go there every few months and buy all they have.)
Alright. I know you are sad this post isn’t longer with more links. But I still have one more thing to say:
Transitioning your home to a cruelty-free place, where you reduce your exposure to toxins, will take a little bit of time and research, but the benefits are huge. For you, for your family, for the animals, for the environment.
April 27, 2016 @ 10:57 am
I’ve been transitioning over to cruelty free products. Any recommendations for deodorant? I’ve tried a couple and let’s just say they have not been effective and leave it there.
April 27, 2016 @ 11:03 am
lol… my bff and I have had this exact conversation. I use the liquid crystal stuff, but sprinkle talc-free baby powder on top before getting dressed. For some reason this makes a difference for me. (but not for Lara)
Maybe explore this site: she is extensive! http://www.crueltyfreekitty.com/start-here/
April 27, 2016 @ 7:14 pm
I’ve been cruelty free for almost ten years. Deodorant wise I would strongly recommend Every Man Jack Sandalwood deodorant. Even though it is a guy’s deodorant it smells pretty gender neutral and I think the smell is fantastic.
It is cruelty free and I’ve been using it for the last two to three years and I’ve only had to replace it once so it lasts forever. It’s also super affordable because I’ve been able to pick it up for around 5-8$ and I see it on sale a lot. You can get it at Whole Foods.
I just think it is so great because previously I used to have to use extra extra strong Secret and the flowery smell would just smell so wrong on me and it never really worked very well but once I made the switch it was so so so much better.
By the way, I know this sounds like a terribly long add but this deodorant kept me smelling great through 90 degree weather and training through cross country and through out prom and overall teenage grossness and hormones so it is great. I should probably go stock up.
April 27, 2016 @ 1:34 pm
I’ve used a deodorant stone for many years. One application is effective for a good two days, although I use it every time I shower. It is not an antiperspirant, so don’t expect it to keep you dry. It goes on wet, but I do other things after applying it, and by the time I’m dressing, my underarms are dry. One stone lasts about six months. Just don’t drop it–it shatters and you end up salvaging the larger usable lumps. Despite that drawback, I’m devoted to the things.
April 27, 2016 @ 2:25 pm
I use magnesium oil spray (allow to dry) followed by a little coconut oil. It works so well that even after moving on a hot summer day last year, I still smelled totally neutral.
April 27, 2016 @ 3:05 pm
Magnesium oil? Do you buy ready-made or make your own or how does that work? I realize I could Google it but I’d rather hear from someone who’s using it successfully than sort through a lot of ads ?
April 27, 2016 @ 4:11 pm
They sell it at health food stores and you can get it on Amazon as well. I’ve used the Life-flow brand with good results. It’s not oily at all – it’s more like water, but dries quicker. It’s strictly topical. I think some people mix magnesium chloride flakes with water to make it themselves, but I’ve never tried that.
April 28, 2016 @ 2:45 pm
The natural German brand Dr. Hauschka makes fabulous deodorant that really works. It’s pricey in the US but it’s lovely stuff.
Also, The People’s Pharmacy (Joe & Terry Graedon of NPR fame) make a Milk of Magnesia deodorant that my entire family now uses – let’s just say we’ve really put it to the test and it passed with flying colors. http://www.peoplespharmacy.com/store/body-care/aluminum-free-mom-milk-of-magnesia-roll-on-deodorant/
April 29, 2016 @ 10:46 pm
I’ve found that the Kiss My Face liquid rock works amazingly well for me. It’s a liquid roll-on that drys fast and leaves no residue. Comes in an array of lovely, natural scents or unscented. Natural deodorants sometimes need a lot of personal trial and error until you find what works for you. I’ve tried some that made me smell worse than wearing nothing. Body chemistry is real.
November 28, 2016 @ 10:16 am
Tonia, I use Arbonne deodorant. It is vegan and cruelty free. Best part is it has a 45 day guarantee. If it is not optimal with your body, you’re not stuck with it-where else can you say that? I’ve worked in a retail drugstore for years and no one returns the one that didn’t work, they just spend more hard earned $ on more. I will post a link here which I hope is ok- please delete if not- http://www.jilljacobek.arbonne.com ; you will find cruelty free nutrition, make up, skincare, spa and sports products. All are vegan ( meaning no beeswax either!), petroleum and phthalate free, many are kosher too. Do note that the deodorant is strictly that, it is aluminum free and not an antiperspirant. For some people, for health reasons, that is a huge selling point, while others prefer the drying activity of an antiperspirant.
April 27, 2016 @ 11:00 am
Add Rebel Green products to your list. Totally organic, cruelty-free and made in the US of A! They have been expanding their product line lately due to high demand. rebel green.com
April 28, 2016 @ 6:39 am
Nice to hear that a US company is making a cruelty-free product. The Euro-Ban on animal testing is the best argument AGAINST Buy American!
April 27, 2016 @ 11:06 am
That impossible sheen is the hardened sweat of generations of maidservants.
If any of you feel hopeless in the face of animal cruelty, take a look at the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine – http://www.pcrm.org/research/resch/research
They, and many other organizations, are working hard for you to make the world a happier place!
April 27, 2016 @ 11:19 am
https://schmidtsdeodorant.com/?gclid=CMuu76mOr8wCFQcKaQodCAoMmg
This is not an endorsement as I have not tried it, but the website has a good deal of info about it and looks to be legit.
April 27, 2016 @ 11:21 am
Thanks for the information on the products. It’s so confusing. I’ve been trying to change over, especially now that I have 2 granddaughters, the moms are strict and I want to follow their lead. However, there was an article not long ago about “Honest” products still having toxic chemicals. Who are we to believe on this subject. I’ll check some of your links. It would be nice to know we were only using products that are pure and free of toxins, not to mention that they’ve left all animals to live without this horror.
xo,
Karen
April 27, 2016 @ 11:22 am
Thanks again for a great post. I do love your passion about going cruelty free. I have been slowly trying to go chemical free for years, but now more so since I was diagnosed with breast cancer in August of last year. I usually just make my own cleaning solutions and laundry soaps from simple ingredients. They clean as good and I feel better knowing they are not toxic. Thanks so much for including a few items that can be purchased that are also cruelty-free. I will definitely look into buying those items. It does amaze me when I see what goes into baby shampoo and baby wipes. I cringe when I see my children using them on my grand babies. It is unconscionable that industry would poison our babies, but they do not care as long as there is $$ to be made doing so. Keep on your soap box, it will help others to see what is going on.
And by the way I love all your beautiful antiques. I wish I lived in an area where I could pick up some of those beauties, but I refuse to leave the West Coast. 🙂
April 27, 2016 @ 11:37 am
Thank you for being an amazing, outstanding human!
April 27, 2016 @ 11:37 am
Thanks so much for getting the word out about toxic chemicals. Stopped buying name brands years ago just as I also don’t eat fast food. Also love the work FOOD BABE is doing too get harmful chemicals out of our food. We need to stop these companies from poisoning us on a daily basis by not buying there products. We wonder why there is so much illness. Money talks. If they can’t sell it, they won’t make it. I even make our own toothpaste because of the terrible chemicals it has. And we get great check ups, too. America needs to pay attention, the EU has banned way more than the US. It is even a felony in Russia to sell GMO products. Have you ever read the list of chemicals in something as common as aspirin? I read every label we use. Great house tour picture, too. I WANT THE MOLDING!
April 27, 2016 @ 11:43 am
Love this post and yes, the animal pics made me tear up. But I am glad you used them as words would not been enough to describe such insanity. Thank you.
April 27, 2016 @ 11:49 am
Well said! Years ago I worked for one of the MAJOR companies that are on the list. It was back in the day before people truly “got” it. As a former beagle mom, this is heartbreaking. Well done. I hope people truly change their ways. Life is short, make a difference.
Oh, and thank you for the book reviews. Going to check them out. I hope Elvis is doing much better!
April 27, 2016 @ 11:52 am
Thanks for the reminder. I think we all can benefit from a less toxic environment and try to pass a less toxic environment down to our kids – and yes, animals should not be made to suffer for cosmetics and cleaners! One thing more is the amount of medications that people take that pass through our system and out to the water cycle. I would not want anyone to stop taking needed medication, but the amount of medication people take is on the rise, in some parts due to the hectic, stressed lives we lead – and the birth control pills are one of the main culprits, causing the feminization of male fish and other water life – which of course are part of the food chain. Add the number of people on medications for stress – we need to change our priorities – all the extra “stuff” is really not making us happier.
April 27, 2016 @ 11:54 am
There is an app called Buycott that lets you scan any product in the grocery store to see if it aligns (or does not align) with what you want to avoid. It includes animal testing, GMOs, cheap labor, and everything else you could imagine. It’s great. It also makes shopping IMPOSSIBLE 🙂
https://www.buycott.com/
April 27, 2016 @ 11:56 am
I love your passion and resolve to speak your truth. I love your deep connection with life that reveals itself through GFTs and Elvis and every other beautiful being in the animal world. I love that you choose to guide and teach with this delicious blog you’ve created. Thank you, VEB.
April 27, 2016 @ 12:01 pm
Hey- could you separate you post so I could share just the animal cruelty stuff on Facebook? I have friends that would skip my sharing it because of the title but they would read it if they knew that it was about animal testing.
April 28, 2016 @ 6:48 am
Why don’t you just copy and paste the part(s) you want to share with your friends?
April 27, 2016 @ 12:06 pm
I think as consumers we forget about the animal testing or we chose to forget so thanks for bringing it to my attention again. I do have a question, what does Tommy Hilfiger do test on, ugly pants and overpriced purses? Oh, I bet it’s perfume, which I hate.
April 27, 2016 @ 4:15 pm
If you knew about all the toxins in clothing and manufacture of clothing you would cringe! Here’s the tip of the iceberg . . http://naturalsociety.com/chemical-clothing-toxic-chemicals-clothes-sick/
April 27, 2016 @ 12:07 pm
Thank you for sharing this infuriating TRUTH. I’m proud to run a cruelty free household. I learned some more just reading this, so thank you. I love YOU even more! 🙂
April 27, 2016 @ 12:08 pm
I’ve also been on the quest to go “all natural” with cleaning and personal care items to benefit our family as well as the environment, so was shocked to see Arm & Hammer on the list of brands test on animals 🙁 I’ve used their super washing soda to replace dishwasher detergent as well as an ingredient in our homemade laundry detergent, and have used their baking soda for years as our go-to cleaning product (with vinegar)… Looks like I’ve got some more research to do.
We use Dr. Bronner’s for shampoo now (diluted with a bit of essential oils added for scent), and lotions have been replaced with organic oils. I use argan oil in place of facial lotion and almond for body lotion (though all the oils I’ve tried work great for body lotion). I’ve been thinking of trying baking soda (applied with a pouf) in place of deodorant, but am still using up what I have left of another natural brand I like (Tom’s of Maine).
Thanks for the information!
April 27, 2016 @ 1:17 pm
Tom’s of Maine has for a long time now belonged to Colgate-Palmolive, a major animal tester. Many of the beloved cruelty-free companies are slowly being acquired by the testing giants.
April 27, 2016 @ 1:43 pm
Well that’s a bummer… I should have known when I saw that they include fluoridated toothpaste in their line of toothpaste several years ago 🙁 I’ve since switched our toothpaste brand and plan to move to a homemade deodorant as soon as finish up what I’ve got.
April 28, 2016 @ 1:15 pm
i recently made the switch from tom’s to dr. bronner’s toothpaste (after using bronner’s soap for a decade or more, i only just found out that they make toothpaste too!). definitely less foamy-sudsy – i think that is a sure sign it has less crap in it, but it does take some getting used to.
April 27, 2016 @ 12:09 pm
Thank you for all the safer, cruelty free cleaning/soaping tips! …and the book reading suggestions… and those house pictures with your amusing comments:)
April 27, 2016 @ 12:11 pm
I live in Savannah. Sadly, that is not my house, although I do have 5 1/2 bathrooms. I read Empty Mansions…good book. I make my own cleaning products and many of my own lotions and potions using essential oils. Chemical free and everything smells delicious…
April 27, 2016 @ 12:12 pm
Thank you so much for such an informative post, Victoria. I’ve been ysing white vinegar and baking soda to clean almost everything, but I still occasionally succumb to other cleaning products. This must stop.
Also, I’m in France and it is very difficult to find real cruelty free, chemical free products here. But I’m always looking.
Elvis looks adorable!
April 27, 2016 @ 12:22 pm
By the way, I stopped coloring my hair 2.5 years ago due chemicals and expense. I love the result – healthy white hair – and would urge others to give it a try.
I read your post again and saw there’s an EU ban on animal testing, of which I was completely unaware. As I said, I’ve had difficulty finding such products but I guess it’s time to look harder!
April 27, 2016 @ 4:20 pm
Great decision! Kinda scary about hair dyes . . . http://www.epochinspired.com/inspired/1115512-avoid-these-7-dangerous-chemicals-found-in-almost-all-hair-dyes/
April 28, 2016 @ 4:29 am
Katherine; you’re right up my alley…. I also live in France and I would recommend the site http://www.ferme-des-peupliers.fr/fr/2713-savon-multi-usage-1-l-anae.html where I just ordered washing nuts – I used to be able to buy them at Auchan years ago and then, when they didn’t have them any longer, I switched to green products with satisfactory results. But then I found one last bag of the nuts and because they have no smell at all and we’re pretty allergic to everything with chemical components, I decided to find another supplier. I knew the wash nuts from Switzerland where I origin from.
Ferme des peupliers has many other organic products too incl facial & hair products as well as organic coconut oil (which is also difficult to source in F).
Good luck – and I DO commiserate the non-state of organic produce in France; Switzerland is so infinitely more advanced, incl. sourcing produce of ‘nearby’.