I’m going to get straight to the point because most people skip this part anyway. (Don’t worry, I don’t take offense. I do the same thing)

I’m about to launch my youngest baby bird out of the nest and into the wild world of college dorm life. I want her dorm room to be a cozy, healthy haven that screams “responsible eco-warrior” instead of “science experiment of cheap plastics and weird smells.” Let’s be real, moving into a dorm can be expensive, but you don’t have to sell a kidney to make it greener. I’ve spent years obsessively researching non-toxic, eco-friendly alternatives (some might call it a hobby, my kids call it a personality trait).

And because I love saving the planet and a good deal, here are three money-saving tips to keep in mind:

1. Shop from within your house:

You’ll be amazed by what you already have lying around, no need to buy new when home shopping saves you time and money.

2. Embrace pre-loved items:

Check Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, or local Buy Nothing groups. Many dorm essentials are barely used and begging for a second life.

3. Hunt for student discounts:

Stores love students. Think Target, Apple, North Face, Nike, Levi’s and don’t forget to stalk Amazon for price drops.

In my efforts to make mindful purchases:

• I look for products Made in the USA if possible
• I chose products with thousands of really great reviews
• I try to find products that are plastic-less (or plastic-free)
• At times, I choose a more expensive item because it’s likely to be better constructed, ensuring its longevity. ***Bonus – I can easily sell or donate it when I no longer need it.

Below is my hand-picked list of eco-friendly dorm items to help your college kid (and mine) stay healthy, save money, and maybe even make Mother Earth just a little less cranky. Let’s do this!

Bedding & Towels

When it comes to bedding, options like Oeko-Tex certified, organic, or bamboo materials can be excellent choices. I really try to make sure my kids’ bedding is free of toxins since they spend so much time sleeping and hanging out in their beds.

• These sheets at Target or these sheets at Amazon because they were super soft and fit perfectly over the mattress topper. Definitely get 2 sets (just in case they spill something and can’t do laundry right away).
• Pillowcases – 2 sets
• Blanket/Comforter/Duvet Cover: This is all preference. My daughter wanted a blanket but some love a duvet cover so you can easily wash it. This one has really lasted.
• Mattress Topper: I did a three-day deep dive on this one. Super important to me since college kids spend so much time in their beds. I chose this one because my younger child would also would use it, and it has great resale value. My kid had some back issues and this was perfect. Plus, her friends loved hanging out in her bed because it was so comfortable. ***Because I got this topper, I didn’t bother buying a separate mattress cover since it already had one. This was the only thing my college kid used before putting on the sheet which saved me money only buying one thing.
• Cheaper Mattress Topper: BUT if that topper is too pricey, I did a ton of research, and everyone loved this option too, it was my second choice.
• Coop Pillows: These are a bit pricey, but I keep pillows for YEARS, so I’d rather invest in good ones. I have these all over my house, I love them so much. You can adjust the fill to make them as big or as flat as you like.
• Towels: I like this set because you get 2 washcloths, 2 hand towels (my daughter uses those at the gym) and 2 towels. She has 2 sets which is more than enough.

Dorm Room

• Woozoo Fan: This is a MUST for those of you whose kids have absolutely no air conditioning and it’s 95 degrees.
• Surge Protector and Extra Surge Protector: You probably only need one, but my husband insisted she take 2. ***A flat plug is great for behind a desk or bed and definitely want to have some USB ports.
• French Press Coffee Maker: My kid is a bit of a coffee snob and wanted the French Press. It’s the best French Press that’s not glass. I loved it so much I bought a large one for myself
• Stainless Steel refillable K-Cups: If you kid absolutely insists on a single serve coffee maker, at least use these stainless steel refillable K-cups.
• Electric Tea Kettle
• Jewelry Organizer
• Apple Air Tags for Backpack and Keys
• Desk Lamp with Bonuses: When a lamp that is just a light isn’t “cool” enough
• Boot Tray (best thing we ever got). We got a large one so everyone in the room could share it and they only needed one by the door. Keeps them from dragging rain, snow and mud into the room.
• Tool Kit (the whole floor loved my daughter – she was the only one with tools). Again, you can create your own tool bag if you have extras.
• ** (Option 2) Thor’s Hammer Tool Kit if you need to make a statement while literally saving the planet. This is not just for boys, my husband carries this around in his truck and my daughters are both “borrowing” it.
• We bought the Zero Water 10-cup and it’s been working great, also here’s a great guide for choosing a water pitcher.
• Air Purifier
• Veno Moving Bags: These are a double win. We used them to move her into her room and then she used them for storage under her bed
• Lightweight Vacuum (another item that was popular with the kids on my daughter’s floor)
• Easy to use, but still cool Alarm Clock
• Reusable Cloths to clean spills/wipe surfaces (these are the ones I use at home too)
• Ice Maker

First Aid Kit

Here is a great complete kit, but if you want to make your own kit, here’s some ideas

• Adhesive Bandages
• Antibiotic Ointment (like Neosporin)
• Ice Pack
• Acetaminophen/Ibuprofen
• Cold Medicine
• Bandages and Scissor
• Essential Oils if that’s your thing
• Heating Pad
• Feminine Care Products

Laundry

• Earth Breeze and Clearalif laundry Sheets: Just check with your college first because some don’t allow laundry sheets. But if they do, I highly recommend them. They’re easier to carry and better for the environment and your health. I’ve used both of these and they work great.
• Wool Dryer Balls: Skip dryer sheets and use these instead
• Bag/Basket/Hamper: this depends upon where the laundry room is located. Some like backpacks if they have stairs but we had an elevator so my daughter wanted this one on wheels
• Collapsible Dryer Rack
• Non-slip Hangers: We love these and just ordered more
• Shower Shoes
• Hanging Shower Caddy/Toiletry Bag
• Shower Caddy (if you don’t want a hanging version)
• Blow Dryer: BUY 2 – one for your daughter and one for YOU

Miscellaneous

• Wearable blanket: This one seemed silly, but she uses it like every day
• Emergency car tire inflator: For students with cars
• Bike tire pump: For students with bicycles
• Sewing Kit
• Reusable coffee/tea mug
• Reusable Water Bottle
• Lock Box for Valuables and Medications
• Overnight Travel Bag for Trips HOME
• Backpack
• Noise-Cancelling Headphones: They’re expensive but my daughter swears by them
• Noise Reduction Earplugs: my daughter absolutely loves these

Remember, don’t stress.

I know you’re striving to create a comfortable and inspiring space for your kids, one that also mirrors their individuality, but they may not actually “need” as much as you think. If you’re not sure your kid is going to “need” something, you can always wait and get it to them later. Here’s to an enriching, unforgettable, and eco-conscious college adventure!

Affiliate Disclosure:

I have affiliate marketing relationships which may result in my earning a small commission from purchases resulting from links posted. As an Amazon Associate, I earn a commission from qualifying Amazon purchases when using my link. These commissions help cover my expenses including my website www.livingcleananddirty.com which is another helpful resource to living your “greenest” healthiest life.

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It may be hard to believe but on that day in 1990 I couldn’t have cared less about Earth Day or the environment. I was 20 years old and a student at GWU. I cared about the important things in life like getting tickets to the Richard Marx concert, going to see Pretty Woman in the theater and getting home in time to watch that new show called Twin Peaks. My friends and I happened to find ourselves people watching at the Mall (National, not shopping) on a lovely Sunday afternoon in April. We decided to walk around and ended up joining what turned out to be an Earth Day demonstration because…we were 20 and it was a nice way to kill a few hours before going out looking for adventure.

Fast forward to Earth Day 2022, still no Burt Reynolds (because that would be creepy) but I strut around the house like it’s Ellen Day, although let’s be honest, most days are Ellen Days and I really should strut more. I get dressed up, I prance around my house like I won an award and try to do one really big thing to celebrate . About 11 years ago I got solar panels on my roof, 7 years ago I got a hybrid car, 6 years ago I started a food garden, and last year was my favorite…I brought home Tess (my fully electric Tesla). My whole family’s favorite holiday is Halloween, but Earth Day definitely has a special place in my heart. This is the one day every year that I can do my Snoopy dance and scream at the top of my lungs “if loving the Earth is wrong then I don’t want to be right!”, unfortunately my family believes this is one day too many, but you get the idea.

So while it’s not as sexy as a new car, solar panels or even 1990 Burt Reynolds this past year I’ve been embracing minimalism in all of its forms. I’ve been getting rid of toxic people (if you’re reading this then congratulations, you made the cut), simplifying my life and getting rid of stuff I don’t use or love.

However, this Eco-mama does love a good sale, especially an eco-friendly one.  This year Earth Day falls on a Friday so while Green Friday (yes, it’s a thing, look it up) doesn’t come until November, I think there is room enough on the calendar for another Green Friday. If there are already holidays called Count Your Buttons Day and National Crouton Day then the criteria for adding holidays sounds pretty lax.

While I’m not the shopper I once was (think shopping mall and not National Mall) you can get some amazing Earth Day deals and support Earth loving companies.

Your power is in your wallet. My hubby still thinks his is somewhere else, but we’ll save that debate for another day. The math is simple, If we support more eco-friendly companies and stop buying single use plastic, throw away items and boxed products with more packaging than product then we are sending a message. If you demand more eco-friendly shopping then the market will move in that direction. Never in my life would I have imagined a fully electric pickup truck yet almost every automotive company is in a race to be the first. Ford alone has 200,000 pre-orders for an electric pickup truck so the people have spoken.

My goal here is to show you how to go green while saving some green. And if you’d like to give back then send this article to your friends, families, enemies and neighbors and have them subscribe to my newsletter. Whether you’re a fan of Burt Reynolds, Debbie Reynolds or Ryan Reynolds we all like to save some money and we should all be interested in saving the Earth too.

Enjoy your Earth Day and be especially kind to mother Earth today.  And while you’re at it, it wouldn’t kill you to call your mother, you know how she worries. If for no other reason she will probably get a kick out of a Golden Girls and Burt Reynolds reference and she’ll explain who Debbie Reynolds is.

I listed just some of my favorite companies that are celebrating Mama Earth with some specials and wanted to pass the info onto you. Click on the images and it’ll take you right to their site.

Some of the links in the post are affiliate links. For more information see my disclosure policy.

The post Happy Earth Day 2022 appeared first on Living Clean and Dirty.

Ellen: “My colors are blush and bashful. I have chosen two shades of pink, one is much deeper than the other.”

Mark: “I like pink! Pink is my signature color.”

As I’m sure some of you will guess, that quote is from Steel Magnolias.  I’m no Southern Shelby but I do have 2 signature colors, they are Casper white and Fuck that hurts Red.  Let me explain…

“Am I tan yet?” -Ellen, Age 10

For most of the year my skin is white, not albino white mind you but to put it mildly my friends used to love to play the “put your arm next to Ellen’s and laugh” game. After a few times at the beach, they’d squeal how tan they are and some of them even added on tanning oil to really get that deep-fried chicken tone.  Flash forward 20 years later and my skin looks pretty much the same and some of these sun worshippers look like a Kenny Rogers Roaster who’s been sitting under the heat lamp for too long.  That’s right you Oompa Loompas, no one is going to mistake me for a wax sculpture left too close to the heater…but no, I’m not bitter.

Now, to be fair I’ve tried to tan but the results were…well, let’s just refer to my description of color Red earlier in this article. I go from zero to burn in nothing flat!  For me, sunscreen isn’t just a precaution against skin cancer, it’s a necessity to keep me pain and blister free. According to the American Academy of Dermatology  (www.aad.org) there are three things you need to watch for when selecting sunscreen.

• SPF of at least 30
• Water resistant
• Provides broad-spectrum coverage

You should apply generously before going (it takes at least 15 minutes to absorb) into direct sun exposure and you should use at least one ounce. Now, you don’t need to carry around a shot glass (I prefer their original use), this is about the amount you can hold in the palm of your hand.  Don’t forget (everyone does, including me) to reapply sunscreen every 2 hours, after sweating profusely or after you’ve gone swimming.

Anyone who has spent more than 10 minutes with me knows that “conventional” sunscreens are not an option for me and my family. Most of them are crap and full of toxins (the sunscreens, not my family) and they don’t always work as promised. As I’ve said before, your skin is your largest organ (contrary to my hubby’s claim) so what you put on it goes right into your body and these days we should be super-selective about what goes in your body.

So now down to business, here’s my top 5 list of chemical free sunscreens that I love (in no particular order). All these recommendations are top rated in Environmental Working Group’s Guide to Sunscreens (www.ewg.org) so you’re not just taking my word for it and all the sunscreens listed are cruelty free.  It’s a little extra work finding some of these but like Truvy from Steel Magnolias says “It takes some effort to look like this”.

All Terrain KidSport SPF 30

Oxybenzone and paraben-free
Broad spectrum
Water and sweat resistant
Non-Nano

Badger Unscented SPF 30

Broad spectrum
Water and sweat resistant
BPA and phthalate free tubes
Biodegradable and safe for coral reefs
PABA Free
Made in the USA

Raw Elements Eco Stick 30

Oxy-Benzone Free
Non-GMO
Titanium Dioxide Free
Non-Nano
Reef Safe
Water Resistant
Made in the USA

Goddess Garden Everyday SPF 30

Reef Safe
Biodegradable
Non-Nano
Non-GMO
Made with plant-based ingredients and natural minerals
Organic
Water Resistant
PABA Free
Made in the USA

Thinksport Sunscreen SPF 50+

No Avobenzone, oxybenzone or UV chemical absorbers
Non-Nano
Paraben, phthalates, PABA and 1,4 dioxane free
Gluten Free
Water Resistant

Whether you’re naturally tan or part of Team Casper like me, protecting your skin is one of those things that’s easy to ignore until it’s too late. Find a sunscreen you’ll actually wear and use it. Future You will be grateful.

My review of these products is based solely on my opinion. Others may have a different opinion or experience. I did not receive any compensation – I bought all these sunscreens with my own cold, hard cash.

The post Sunburnt Magnolias – Unsponsored Review appeared first on Living Clean and Dirty.

So there I was, a fresh-faced budding young woman of 14. I was at the movies with some friends, and that’s when I first saw him. He became very important during my “formative years” and was often on my mind as I drifted off to sleep…Jake Ryan.

When Sixteen Candles came out in 1984, I thought the story was cute, the dress was awesome, but Jake was dreamy. Somewhere over the years his dialogue with Long Duk Dong got all mixed up in my head, and my friends and I started referring to Jake as the “oily bo-hunk.” (Molly Ringwald purists will remember that it was actually Samantha’s sister who was marrying the oily bo-hunk, not Jake. But after thirty years, I’ll blame my memory and not the wine.)

Fast forward almost 30 years and my life has changed. I used to think about Jake Ryan while I was in the shower. Now I think about him after I get out.

That’s right…I’m talking about moisturizing.

One of my ongoing STDs (Shit To Do, people…relax) is taking better care of my skin. Most of us wait until our hands feel like sandpaper or our heels could strike a match before we think about lotion. Moisturizing on demand is a little like flossing the night before a dentist appointment. Better late than never, but it’s not exactly a long-term strategy.

So here’s my new snake-skin-begone routine.

I take a shower and towel off, but not completely. I leave my skin just a little damp, then rub on a thin layer of good old organic coconut oil. I have some sensory issues, so I can’t get dressed if I still feel greasy. Thankfully the coconut oil soaks in pretty quickly, and before long I’m good to go.

I know some people moisturize every single day. Good for them.

I can’t.

I’m lucky if I have time to eat two meals some days, so I’m keeping this one realistic. Three or four times a week is something I can stick with, and I’d rather build a habit I can maintain than aim for perfection and quit after a week.

Like I always say, do what you can. If you can do it every day, fantastic. If you can only manage a couple of times a week, that’s still better than not doing it at all.

A couple of weeks after I started my new routine, my husband reached over while we were watching TV and rubbed my leg.

“What are you doing differently?”

“What do you mean?”

“Your skin feels really soft.”

I smiled.

“Dancing with Jake Ryan.”

He looked at me like I’d completely lost my mind.  Some jokes are just for me.  The important part was that he noticed.

So now every time I step out of the shower and reach for the coconut oil, I smile and think of my teenage crush from 1984.

Not a bad way to start the day.

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As I’m sure you can tell by now, I love to have a good laugh.  But I should preface that with the fact that the material needs to be funny.  Back in my single days a guy gave me this card on Valentine’s Day.  Now, granted I took some artistic liberties with the card itself because the original is still probably in police evidence “just in case”, but the sentiment is the same.  He wasn’t funny, he was super creepy and he always looked like he needed a shower (not in the Ethan Hawke hot way, but more like Howard Hughes at the end when he was pissing in jars).  He would have been better off if the card had said “Happy Valentine’s Day – Clearly you’re a low-shooter and I love that about you.”  Ugh! Gross!!  …OK, now back to our blog.

The true history of Valentine’s Day can differ depending on who you ask.  While most historians agree that it’s actually St. Valentine that we celebrate on the 14^th of February, the details tend to be a little sketchy.  My favorite story is about an imprisoned Saint named Valentine who sent a love letter to the daughter of his jailer before his death and signed it “From Your Valentine”.  That’s right baby…caged heat.  While I’m sure Valentine’s Day in today’s prisons must be the butt of a lot of jokes, we have an imprisoned man condemned to death to thank for an abundance of greeting cards, chocolate, flowers and last minute shopping by forgetful husbands.

Now I’m sure that my husband’s version of the story would revolve around a celebration of the great St. Vagine, and we should spend the day on our knees pleasing it.  Knowing him, this would yield a lot of empty wine bottles and me asking on Facebook for a good chiropractor the next day.  Honestly we aren’t big gift givers in my house.  Holidays and anniversaries are great excuses to turn off the rest of the world and spend time with the ones we love.  Basically if we are wrapping up shit in the middle of the night when everyone else is asleep it’s because the dog took a dump in the living room and we are trying to destroy the evidence.  But when we do need/want something we just get it and surprise the person even more because well…it’s a no-reason-Tuesday.  More than anything we love giving the gift of experience (in the case of my two kids) or the gift of health for my hubby and me. But, hubby is only human, and there are certain landmark holidays where he starts hinting around about what sort of gift I would like.

So with February 14^th fast approaching, here’s my Top 10 lists of eco-friendly Valentine’s Day gifts.  The first list is gifts for the ladies.  These can be from your fella or even better, a gift you get yourself on Black Saturday.  But don’t worry fellas; I made a top 10 gift list for you too.

VALENTINE’S DAY TOP 10 GIFTS FOR WOMEN

1) Massage: My hubby and I both get monthly massages. It’s a great way to turn off and de-stress since we both sit in chairs for a gazillion hours a day.  Your parenting skills could use the time for a quick recharge and your muscles will thank you.  Neither of us get the “Happy Ending” kind but I guess that could relax you too, this is a judgment free blog.

2) Guided Meditation Class: My hubby encourages me to go twice a month.  There’s a local place by me who donates part of the proceeds to a local animal shelter.  I usually fall asleep half way through (last time I was even sitting up) but it’s relaxing and I love the meditation practice.  It’s like sex, sure you can do it alone, but sometimes it’s nice to have someone there walking you through it.

3) Facials: I treat myself to a once a month facial (sigh, please don’t laugh).  Every time I say “facial” in my house my hubby laughs uncontrollably.  I just learned (after getting my first one) that it’s called a facial when a man treats your face like a sperm bank and he’s making a deposit.  I love getting a facial (the spa kind) because it’s awesome for my poor dehydrated skin and I can’t believe how good it feels.  Thankfully I never got the other facial because if a guy tried to leave his mess all over my face he’d end up with fewer balls than Lance Armstrong.

4) Buy One Organic Decadent Thing:  Hubby is going to laugh at this one and say something supportive like “Oh, if you wanted to treat yourself with organic corn you could have just asked”.  Well, in this case I was thinking on a grander scale.  This past year for the holidays I’ve been eyeing some VERY expensive Coyuchi organic towels.  Doesn’t sound so glamorous at first, but you won’t hear me complain when I wrap myself up in one of these after a nice hot bath.

5) Take a Class: Do this as a couple or do it alone.  Hell, when I was single and in my 20s I bought myself a gift every V-Day (still love these cool earrings I got one year, I know me so well) so I took a cooking class in Brooklyn and still use what I learned there every day.  And if cooking isn’t your thing, try another class, a few years back I took a knitting class and this year I’m learning to sew.

6) Send Flowers:  While certainly not original, sending flowers is the “black iron skillet” of the gift giving world.  It’s a simple phone call, nearly impossible to mess up and a timeless gift.  If this is your choice, be sure to take advantage of the “tulips” (two-lips) jokes and also try sending eco-friendly flowers (www.organicbouquet.com) or even a plant.

7) Write a Heart Felt Letter:  Back before texting, sexting, email and even AIM we used to write letters…you know, with a pen.  Skip the stupid card, because you probably waited too long anyway and now all that’s left are the crappy cards with sad puppies or Batman on them.  It’s WAY more touching if you just write how you feel and if you feel inclined you can draw a little picture too…you don’t even have to rhyme (but if you can, that’s nice)

8) Symbolically Find Your Valentine’s Animal Match and Donate:  You can go to: www.worldwildlife.org and pick what animal best describes your Valentine and symbolically adopt that animal.  We love that we’re giving to one of our favorite charities, my kids love doing it and probably most important…our dogs love it because they hate competition.

9) Think Vintage: Growing up we called jewelry and clothes like this “old” but now it’s “chic”.  It looks like there’s a huge resurgence of what I like to call “the classics”, you know…like granny panties.  Check out vintage stores, consignment shops or etsy for tons of repurposed items.  What someone else doesn’t use is your treasure.

10) Make a Mix Tape: OK, technically I was thinking of a Mix-Playlist, but there’s something about Bonnie Tyler, Simply Red and Berlin that just screams Sony Walkman to me.  Make her feel young again and make her a playlist on her I-Fillintheblank.  Pick some of her favorite music from when she was young and fresh filled with hope that she can listen to now while she’s cleaning up after your kids and doing your laundry and making your dinner…sorry, a little projecting there.  Be a mensch and play that playlist on your stereo, take her hand and ask her to dance.

If you continue to scroll down you will see the men’s list, hope this helps and have a great V-Day.

VALENTINE’S DAY TOP 10 GIFTS FOR MEN

1. Sex
2. Sex
3. Bake him cookies
4. Sex
5. Blowjob
6. Sex
7. Sex
8. Sex
9. Sex
10. Sex and then let him finish the cookies (may be substituted for Blowjob)

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I love body lotion. (But I love a good Silence of the Lambs line just as much.) Sure, I tell my husband it’s a “marital aid” when used properly, but most of the time I just like how it feels and smells. Dry winter skin is no joke, and if you’ve ever spent January washing dishes without gloves, you know exactly what I’m talking about.

When I find great products, I love telling my friends about them. I’m a girl, so obviously I use a ton of personal care products, and this seemed like a great place to start cutting down on some of the toxins we keep hearing about. The more I learned, the more horrified I became. Why do cute little bunnies have to be injured or killed to make shampoo? Seriously, haven’t we figured out how to make shampoo yet? And why the fuck are we still testing eyeliner on animals? They don’t need it, and they’re going to look ridiculous anyway. My dad always told me to vote with my wallet, so that’s exactly what I started doing. These days I try to buy cruelty-free products whenever I can because companies have proven they can make great products without hurting animals. If they can do it, everyone can.

Most people decide to become vegetarians and then start thinking about what they’re putting on their bodies. Bass-ackwards me did it the other way around. I’d happily sit down in front of a delicious skirt steak wondering whether I could make deodorant out of the contents of my refrigerator. My first obsession wasn’t food. It was shampoo, conditioner, moisturizer, toner, deodorant, makeup, laundry detergent…basically if it touched my skin, I wanted to know what was in it. That’s going to be a big part of this website, so keep coming back and getting educated by Dr. Ellen.

Our skin is our biggest organ. Heh…organ.

Even on a “dropping the kids off at school in my pajamas” kind of day, I use a lot of products. Maybe not twenty, but enough that when you stop and think about all those ingredients together, it starts to feel like a chemistry experiment. Math really isn’t my thing, but even I know that adding up a whole bunch of questionable stuff probably isn’t the greatest plan. So I started cutting back where I could, which also saved me money, and I started paying closer attention to what I was buying. One of the resources I found incredibly helpful was the Environmental Working Group. No, I’m not on the payroll. I just liked having a place that explained what all those ingredients actually were.

This whole adventure eventually led me to my quest for the perfect body lotion. I use it constantly because I finally gave up wearing dish gloves. Why? Because I kept buying these nice, expensive eco-friendly gloves and somehow puncturing every single right one with silverware. I never got hurt and I never even knew I’d done it until halfway through the dishes when my right glove slowly filled with water. After about the gazillionth pair, and a growing collection of six left-handed gloves, I finally threw up my bare hands and admitted defeat. Good news: no more wet surprises. Bad news: my hands started looking like I was auditioning to be Freddy Krueger’s hand double. Every time my husband held my hand he’d ask when we bought a pet snake.

After trying a bunch of different lotions, I finally found one I loved from 100% Pure. It’s cruelty-free, made with quality ingredients and smells amazing. There was only one problem. It kept disappearing. I’d put a brand-new tube on my nightstand and the next day…gone. I blamed the kids. I searched the bathroom. I looked under the bed. I was honestly starting to think lotion gnomes were making nightly raids on my bedroom.

Days later I finally found it.

In my husband’s office drawer.

I stood there holding the tube like I’d just solved a murder.

“Seriously?” I asked.

He looked up from his computer completely confused.

“What?”

“My lotion.”

“Oh.”

That was it. That was the entire explanation.

Good news: my husband finally joined me on the cruelty-free bandwagon.

Bad news: apparently we have very different definitions of “body lotion.”

I still buy 100% Pure because it’s a fantastic product. It smells great, feels great and isn’t tested on animals. I just buy it knowing I should probably order two tubes at a time.

The post The Case of the Missing Body Lotion appeared first on Living Clean and Dirty.