Fancy Black Lipstick That Won't Break The Bank

In my teens up till my mid 20s my go to lip color was either dark burgundy or black. My go to lip products were either eyeliner or cheap lipstick. When I went vegan in my early 20s finding 'odd' colored makeup that was both vegan and cruelty free was a pain. I had to make due with earthy colors and black eyeliner for everything.

I have experimented with loads of colors through the last decade and lately alternate between a rose nude shade and purple. However when I was out shopping the other day and saw a display for e.l.f.  with a black lipstick on it I got giddy with nostalgia.

e.l.f.'s Moisturizing Lipstick in Black Out was swatched as soon as I got home.  For $3 I did not expect much - thinking it was going to be like the black lipsticks of past that were more grey and super dry or greasy-cheap looking. One swatch on my wrist however had me do a double take. It went on creamy, it smelled faintly of vanilla and was a really deep glossy black.

I wore it out the next day. I used a black liner to line my lips. It went on smoothly, did not dry my lips out and it did not smell/taste funky. It is a stunning creamy black color that is not too shinny or cheap looking. With that being said it does not stay on - especially if you eat but this is with all lipsticks. It easily transfers on things like straws but again I think we have all been spoiled by liquid lipsticks lately. I really like it though and will be using it again.

Chimes - Toasted Coconut Toffee Mini Review

Recently I bought a bag of Chimes Toasted Coconut Toffee candies after hearing about them. Vegan toffee is not something you come by often - toffee after all really is a butter infused sweet. They are individually wrapped hard candies that are sweet with a hint of sea salt goodness. Upon opening the bag and sharing with the boyfriend we both agreed they are super good! They are nutty and toasted tasting and the hint of sea salt adds a nice kick. Made with real ingredients and not artificial flavorings these are really a tasty treat that is full of flavor. Everyone I have shared them with enjoys them but the biggest fan so far has been Mady! I popped one into my mouth and as soon as she smelled it, ran up and started pawing my mouth! I had to hold one out for her to lick. She has done this to Matt too! Mady really likes her sweets - silly kitty!

First Day Of Summer - Must Have

I wear sunblock year round - to keep my skin safe and my tattoos looking good for years to come. I have had some crappy sunburns in the past that left me always stocking up on SPF when the sun comes out. Today is the first day of summer I hope you are ready!
If you are not ready go pick up a bottle of Sun Bum Original SPF 30. It is affordable - a bottle is around $10 - $15 (though on sale a lot of the time). It is vegan, cruelty free, offers broad spectrum protection, water resistant for up to 80 minutes, hypoallergenic and photostable (retains protection after sun exposure).
Matt and I have been using this for a few weeks now when we venture outdoors. It has a subtle sunscreen scent which does not linger all day, absorbs nicely, does not feel heavy or greasy (no chest breakout for me!) and has not bothered our sensitive skin. I like the lotion formula more than the spray I picked up last year. The nozzle kept getting clogged and I felt it did not spray evenly, making me worried if I would get a burn. You might have better luck than me with spray formulas though.
If you are looking for an all around good sunscreen pick up a bottle. Follow sun smarts like wear sunglasses, reapply sunscreen as needed, drink water and have fun. If you have a favorite sunscreen please let me know. I am always looking for ways to stay sun smart!

Souley Vegan Po Boy Delight

Matt and I turned on DDD  - Food Network to see our town featured. First up though they showcased Souley Vegan in Oakland - a place we have been to before. We were both happy to see a 100% vegan place on Food Network. The item that stood out most was the Po Boy. We both decided we have to get one next time in town.
The menu online only sates a 'shrimp' version is offered but the restaurant menu offers a 'chicken' version. Both of us are not a fan of seafood like tastes so we opted for the seitan based chicken. Our food came out fast but the side of fries did not appear on our plates so we had to ask for them and got indifferent looks. Same with the hot sauce - once on the table - free flowing, now served in a dinky lil bowl. One bite of the sandwich though I was happy! First time in weeks I said how much I enjoyed eating and was hungry. Each lil seitan nugget was crunchy and flavorful. The veggies are crisp and cooling. A big sloppy sandwich but sure worth the mess!

We have found the food in the past mediocre here but this sandwich was awesome. It had loads of flavor - something we found lacking in the past. Try it with a cayenne lemonade (my fave drink!)  like I did!

Stealing Is Not Cool

Vegan Varg informed me that my zine Cemetery Gates is reviewed in the current issue of Slingshot. I was excited and nervous - because truth be told the zine community has not been kind to CG in the past. I found the review online and later in the week received a print issue of the zine in the mail.

If you cannot read the review in the photo::
Cemetery Gates #1  $6.50 ppd (???) PO Box 251 Modesto, CA 95353
This new publication looks at how people confront death and grief. The editor sets the context of why to do this and its quite touching. The bulk of the content are some written pieces and photos of cemeteries. The atmosphere of cemeteries is pretty hard to capture using photocopiers but there’s close to a dozen images here that you can take to the copy shop and use to make art with. (eggplant)

After reading the review I sat in my chair and had to pick my jaw up off the floor. I was angry, amused and disappointed. Basically eggplant says to steal my photos, my zine, my hard work and use them for whatever. Seriously? I know in the punk community/anarcho community stealing is seen as a F-you to capitalism - as long as you steal from the big guys. If you walk into any punk-radical store there is at least 5 signs saying not to steal from them - they are not the man. I always find that way of thinking stupid.When did stealing from small companies, zines, small business become cool?
I wrote to eggplant and basically he told me that I should be lucky to have been reviewed. Wow really? Also that by releasing my zine I put it out there for anyone to do as they wish with it. Seriously? When did zines become so cut & paste, like things you toss? I know among my zine friends we save our zines, organize them and hold onto them. They are not a big time publication to cut up and use for collage.

I want to put it out there that when I make a zine I do not expect to make much. When you buy a zine from me you are paying for the price of the copies I made, postage and future zine costs. If I have anything extra after that - well I have two cats who like to eat and I like a good beer now and then. The point is I make little $ off of my work. I spend months on a issue from photos, to setting up interviews and everything in between.
My zines are not art project material. I encourage people to share zines - mine included but above all turn friends onto zines and let them buy copies. Making zines is a passion that zine makers have. A passion that costs money and time. Zines are more than paper and staples. Support zine makers! Buy zines, encourage your favorite zine makers to make more zines.

I will be releasing Cemetery Gates 3 - in the next few weeks. Sneek-peek tid bit: there will be a color cover this time around! I have been getting positive feedback from the horror community and think I will stick with sending press samples out to them. Also I will put bold 'these are my photos' type wording in upcoming issues more prominently. Maybe a banner that reads: do not steal is in order?

Fun With Food, Zines and Cats

Fried open faced tacos inspired by a recipe in the April 2015 Food Network Magazine (The Big Breakfast Issue). Tortillas are fried in Earth Balance, sprinkled with cumin, topped with refried beans and Daiya then covered to melt. Top it off with salsa, soy sour cream and hot sauce. Everything has to be served with Matt's Mamas red rice and lemons from the neighbor as you know!

Post gym stir fry with mixed veggies, extra firm tofu in a red curry paste + soy sauce mix I made up on the spot. Simple stir fry dishes are perfect on gym nights to help with a hungry stomach and a flash to prep. I also find them helpful to use up pantry items sitting around.

A soy iced coffee and Banana Curl Vegan Girl zine. The zine is a must have for those looking for easy and accessible vegan recipes (the best kind!) and a handy FAQ suitable for helping the new vegans & vegan curious out with ingredient replacements. You can also check out Banana Curl on her blog.

A few weeks back we walked into Pet's Mart on adoption day to make a Mar's Memorial Birthday donation. We came across a beast of a fluffy cat and decided to bring him home. We named him Mortis and so far Mady and him are doing well together. So if my zines and blogging have been lagging blame fluffy cats and naps - they go together!

Review: Blossom Vegan - Pleasanton, CA

Last weekend Matt and I had lunch at Blossom Vegan. It is pretty much a Loving Hut in a strip mall but the food is good and if you need to stock up on groceries there is a Trader Joe's in the parking lot. Be warned it seems popular and since it is small seats fill up quickly. Service was good and the food came out fast.

 

My go to meal whenever I hit up one of these locations: Yum Yum Vermicelli - I love how all the flavors come together and you get a bit of everything in one bowl.  

 

Matt got the Five Spice Tofu over rice. Another one of those a little bit of everything plates. Not pictured is the Organic Vietnamese Coffee that we split - really sweet but good!

A Stack Of Zines - Mini Reviews

 

When I searched for zine reviews this week I came up pretty empty handed. I wish more places were out there were we can read zine reviews and submit our zines for review. I have often been scared to send in my zines because most reviews want a zine to fit into a category: per-zine, fictional, art/comic, review...The Stay At Home Girlfriend does not really fall into a category, it is a mixture of everything.The zines I seek out are usually of the same nature.

So to fill a void in zine reviews I will go through what I am currently reading or have read recently. I will try to do this as often as possible. I have linked places were you can pick up the zines/find more info yourself.

Mixed up: I bought this (well, actually Matt paid for it) when I was dropping of zines at Down at Lulus's a few weeks back. I picked it up because I am always looking for zines that deal with stuff like immigrants and race issues.I have not gotten through the whole zine but there are some good reads. 

Food Stamp Foodie #3: This is my favorite type of zine - one that mixes vegan foods/recipes and crafts! Each recipe/craft is done comic style and is easy to follow. From making scarves to making cold brew coffee this lil zine packs a DIY punch.

Basic Paper Airplane 7: I do not usually go gaga over per-zines unless I can relate to the topic or the voice/person behind the zine grabs me. BPA#7 is a small zine, that I finished in a few minutes on my way to the gym but it was a zine that had impact. Each page is prompted by what appears to be a random thought/memory and a story that follows. Quick little reads that may make you think of your own life or memories.

Korres Japanese Rose Body Butter Review

Last weekend I picked up a sample of Japanese Rose body by Korres and at first did not think I would dig it due to the floral name. After smelling it though I love it! The smell is floral but not really floral like potpourri. To me it has an almost medicinal smell, like kids cherry cough medicine - I know odd right? But it is interesting.
The texture is light and absorbs fast. Usually in the past body butters have left me feeling greasy and slick. This is a great light lotions and I like using it on my hands and then sniffing them over and over!

Free of parabens, sulfates and GMOs this is a good for you product! I want to go back and smell the fig scent. That sounds interesting right?  I like discovering new/new to me vegan beauty products and finding a winner!

Blue Buffalo Litter Review

We are a fan of Blue Buffalo cat food around here and the fact that every year they raise money for companion animal cancer research is great. So when shopping recently we were told about a new litter by Blue Buffalo from the store staff (they know how picky we are with cat litter and products). So we bought a bag and tried it out.


The litter is made from walnut shells and is 100% natural - I like that and the fact there is really no odor after Mar uses the box. That is about all I like about the litter. Mar does not like it - I can tell by how long he is in the box trying to cover things up. Also he has gotten litter clumps all around the box kicking around so hard. It states that it is low tracking - I found that it clung to Mar's paws a lot and tracked a lot more than other litters. It does clump well, a little to well. I had a hard time getting some clumps up.


Safe to say we are going back to our old litter. I like the promise of more natural products for cats on the market - I will continue trying new things and buying those that work!