A Vegan Hair Salon - Can it Be?!

Have you ever taken a trip to Target for toilet paper and ended up spending ten times as much as you should have? Then, when you get home and unpack your bags, discovering all the things your hands somehow snuck into your shopping cart you stumble upon that box of hair dye you bought? Excited, you rush to the bathroom and start mixing all those little bottles until the colors blend together and you pour this “stuff” all over your head without thinking twice about it. Your scalp starts to burn, your nose bleeds from the fumes, and you have to turn on every fan in your apartment because the stench of toxic chemicals is so overbearing that your cat has begun walking like someone who’s drunk in public? I know you know what I’m talking about. But seriously, does anybody REALLY know what their “natural” haircolor is anymore? I doubt it. We live in an age where looks and beauty and pampering yourself is in the forefront, and yes, even us vegans need to feel pretty! So what do we do? We KNOW that nearly all haircolors bought at Target or at your high-end salon are tested on animals, filled to the brim with harmful chemicals, and just plain aren’t GOOD for you. But you want to look and FEEL a certain way.


My hair color and/or cut changes with the moon phases. Seriously. It’s not a thing of vanity, but of self-expression for me. Being sick, there are many things about myself that I cannot change, but I still have control over my hair, so I express myself through it. And thank Mother Nature that I finally found a salon in Madison that caters to my need to express as well as my desire to be as eco-conscious as possible!




KODE Salon. Founded and owned by three of the most talented hair designers in the Midwest, and as someone who has lived coast to coast, I’d say in the country! You walk into the salon and just *know* that your experience here is going to be different from any other salon you’ve been to. From the hairstylist stations that were built from recycled barn floors, to the amazing nook the salon is nestled in in one of the coolest, most eco-friendly neighborhoods in Madison, to being tossed a beer as you walk in to wait for your appointment, this place has it going on!
KODE strives to source their resources as locally as possible, keeping money in the community.




The products that they use are not only vegan, but gluten-free, too! Now, out of sheer curiosity, I HAD to do some of my own research on this, because, well…I’m not good at taking things at face value. So I researched the brands and products they use and was so happy to see that, as far as a salon goes, this one is about as cruelty-free as it gets, folks! From Davines Haircolors, which even come in eco-friendly packaging on top of their cruelty-free stance and ingredients, to Surface styling products, which are all vegan and gluten-free and amazing in general!




But what about your HAIR? Does it look good when you leave? Let me just say, I’ve been to some of the most expensive and well-known hair stylists in the country and I have never left a salon more happy than when I left Kelly Z.’s amazing hands for the first time. The stylists spend massive amounts of time formulating a look that is not only 100% “you”, but one that is simple to maintain, grows out nicely, and a look that you will be more than happy about. I’ve only seen Kelly Z. when I go, as she’s my go-to-gal there, but I’ve seen the work the other stylists do and it’s also nothing short of awesomeness.




So, if you live in Madison and have been desperately searching for a place to get cut up, dyed out, or waxed off, then hit up KODE Salon. And afterwards, hop across the street to the best vegan restaurant in town, the Green Owl Café. Yes, it’s right across the street! I told you it’s located in the best neighborhood in town! So what are you waiting for?! Check them out and “fan” them on Facebook!


*All photos from the KODE Salon Facebook Page*

This is absolutely hilarious, and so true, too!

GIVEAWAY!!!

Alright folks...I've noticed my subscriber numbers growing, and I've been posting less and less, and for that, I apologize. BUT...I want to make it up to you all by having...

...A GIVEAWAY!!!!

I've seen a lot of people on many different vegan and vegetarian forums who look for beauty products but struggle in finding ones that are not only cruelty-free, but that actually work. There are two brands and two brands only that I use, because not only are they cruelty-free, but they are absolutely amazing! The products I use are Lush Products (their solid shampoo bars are the best thing ever) and Arbonne. Arbonne was introduced to me by my mother, and I use their facial cleansing system, body oil on my rough, patchy skin when have my Hypothyroid or Lupus flareups, and I also take their vegan Omega-3 supplement. I have two amazing products that I want to give away, so here we go!

Giveaway #1:

Arbonne FC5 Hydrating Eye Creme - $30 for 0.5 fl. oz.




The FC5 product line from Arbonne is my favorite. It is all natural, vegan, and is NEVER tested on animals! It's for all skin types, and it helps minimize the appearance of dark circles and fine lines to help revitalize skin, promoting a more youthful look. (and really, who doesn't want a more youthful look?!)


Giveaway #2:
Arbonne Seasource 5 in 1 Massage Oil - $45 for 6 fl. oz.



From the Arbonne website: This essential oil blend contains stimulating, marine-derived ingredients to help remove toxins and deliver nourishing minerals. Deep skin conditioning is provided by linoleic acid. Bisabolol provides calming and anti-irritating effects. Its 5-in-1 formula preps skin for further detox treatments and can be used for body and facial massage, as a bath additive, as a purifying facial steam and for relaxing aroma­therapy.

So there you have it! Now, how do you enter? A few ways:
1. "follow" my blog!
2. comment on this post and tell me what you'd like to win!
3. "like" the VeganRockerGirl Facebook Page and leave a comment there
4. Link back to this giveaway on your blog, and let me know in a comment
5. Be located in the USA...sorry international folks...maybe next time <3

It's that simple!! The giveaway winners will be drawn through random.org and will be announced on Tuesday, March 1st. Good luck to you all!!!



And remember, for every ad you click on this page, 100% of the money generated from it goes to a local animal rights organization in Wisconsin, so click away!

Thanksgiving Feast

I hope everyone had a lovely holiday and spent some quality time with all of your friends, family and loved ones. After a rocky start (5.5 hour car ride that ended up being almost 12 hours!), and a broken phone (had no idea how I was going to call all my family that I don’t live around), I was a little stressed for the holidays, but all in all, it turned out to be okay! And aside from a few snarky comments from my anti-vegan, vegetable loathing father, it really wasn’t as terrible as I had imagined it could be. And, once he realized, after telling my man how “disappointed” he was in him for not eating meat three times and receiving no response, he finally gave up and decided to leave him alone. But, enough about big bullies who think they know everything, let’s get to the food!


I must say, our KIND food was absolutely delicious! My dad’s wife had invited her brother and his three kids, and they all tried and loved my super delicious vegan goodies…including my “turkey” roast, which I will be getting to today. The vegan spread included: Vegan Turkey Loaf, Mashed Potatoes and Mushroom gravy, Cranberries, Stuffing, Vegan Green Bean Casserole, “Butter” rolls with Earth Balance, Pumpkin Pie and Chocolate Peanut Butter Pie. A kind feast fit for a king!


I’ll be putting up the recipes as I have time this week, but I’m going to start with the Turkey Loaf, as it was my first time ever making anything like this, and it was absolutely delicious, and fairly simple, too! The recipe is from Ellen Degeneres’ website, and I hope it will be part of many of your celebrations to come!

Ellen Degeneres’ Vegan Turkey Loaf

Ingredients:
4 Cups vital wheat gluten
1 Cup bread crumbs (I make my own by toasting three slices of my favorite bread then throwing them in the food processor with some herbs)
1 Cup nutritional yeast
3 Tablespoon dried thyme
1 large onion small dice and caramelized
1 Tablespoon kosher salt
½ Cup extra virgin olive oil
4 Cups strong Vegetable Stock
1 full sheet of cheesecloth
Butcher's twine
Blackening spices
Earth Balance butter

Instructions:
Caramelize the onions over medium heat until they are golden brown. Add the onions to the dry ingredients and mix.

Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and stir with a wooden spoon until a loose batter forms. Shape the batter into a loaf.

Unroll about 24" of cheesecloth on to a clean dry surface. Unfold the cloth completely and then fold it in half to form a two-ply piece of cloth.

Place the loaf in the middle of cloth and roll it up, leaving enough space to tie off at both ends.
Now tie two more pieces of twine over the center of the roast.


Place the roast into a large pot of boiling water and simmer for at least two hours (My dad’s kitchen is small and I wasn’t allowed to take up space cooking my “weird” food, so I was unable to use the stove for this part. However, I put it in a crock pot on high for the two hours and it worked just fine).

Carefully remove the cheesecloth and place the roast on a small sheet tray and rub the roast with Earth Balance butter and sprinkle with blackening spices. Bake roast at 350 for 20+ minutes or until golden brown (25 seemed to work well for mine). Allow roast to rest a few minutes before slicing.

Restaurant Review - Bloom Bake Shop

My very first Bloom Cupcake...an experience I'll never forget!



I do have a lot of recipes to share with you all, but I am still wanting to give shout outs to all the yummy vegan goodies the man and me found around and about Wisconsin this weekend with his mother. One place that we took her to has been a favorite of ours for a few months now since discovering it. A vegan bakery. Need I say more?? Well, I’m gonna, because this place is unlike any vegan bakery I’ve ever been to.


Now, coming from Los Angeles, I was lucky enough to have many vegan options surrounding me daily. From local bakeries that baked up goodies sold at our Whole Foods out there to bakeries like BabyCakes, Sprinkles, and the like…there was definitely no shortage of vegan goodies in Los Angeles. BUT...although tasty…they all felt like they were missing…something.


A year later, we discovered Bloom Bake Shop…right around the corner from where I work. I was told about this new bakery from a co-worker, excited to tell me that although they had non-vegan items, that there were vegan and gluten free features each day as well. Of course, you say cupcake to me, and I’m there. So, I headed on down, and was greeted with the friendliest staff I have ever come across. My first vegan cupcake experience was one of the most ultimate decadence…a vanilla cupcake filled with orange marmalade…topped with a dark chocolate ganache and an orange buttercream frosting flower. I bit in, and went straight to cupcake heaven! THIS cupcake HAD what all the other ones didn’t…a touch of local love.


Bloom Bake Shop is a local, sustainable, fair trade bakery. Most of her ingredients come from right in this area…from the free range hormone-free eggs in her non-vegan products to the peanut butter used in some of her decadent treats all the way to the wind that powers her light fixtures…and what isn’t local is still fair-trade, pesticide and synthetics-free. Every inch of this little bakery is blooming (pun intended…haha) with love, and you can most certainly taste that love when you bite into these delicious, moist, dense vegan cupcakes.


So head on down to Middleton, just minutes from Madison, and pick up a box of cupcakes to share with your family, friends, co-workers…or keep them all for yourself (don’t worry, I won’t judge!). But definitely give this kind local business a try! You will not be disappointed! And the man's mother was in cupcake heaven, so take your out-of-town guests here too!!


The insanely moist and delicious vegan blondie I had this weekend!


The "Be Campy" vegan s'mores cupcake...I've had this one two or three times, and it's always a winner...and pretty, too!

Vegans Need Good Good Lovin', too!!

*Warning!!! Adults-only Post!!! If you're under 18, this is NOT a post for you!*
Okay, now that I've protected myself, I wanna talk sex. I know, it's a cliche subject to some still, but I really don't get why. I spent two years improving the sex lives of the barely legal to the barely living (yes, I've sold a vibrator to someone who was over 100 years old!) and I think that our bodies should be loved and cared for in EVERY way possible! Whether you're playing it safe, or taking some risks, I'm sure you still want to be cruelty-free (unless you're referring to your partner...hehe), so I started doing some research, and found this AMAZING site...

The Vegan Sex Shop

Not only is everything on their site 100% vegan and cruelty-free, but they DONATE a percentage of your purchase to one of the following charities of your choice, PETA, the HRC, Vegan Outreach, or Code Pink...how cool is that?! And, they are currently having a sale on Lelo brand adult toys, which, in my humble opinion, are definitely the top of the line toy (I have sold this brand to many celebrities, and it had rave reviews from each and every one!). They also have vegan lubricants and vegan condoms, too.

So, from massage oils to BDSM to shower products to novelty items, this site is fun, frisky and cruelty-free...so go, take a peek, and have some good, safe, vegan fun!!

Really Put Things in Perspective...

Just saw a new music video from Vegetarian Rock Star Pink, and it is really powerful, to say the least! I have not been vegan my entire life, but I have never drank milk. From a very early age, I refused to drink it because I thought it was awful, and since my mom didn't drink it either, she really couldn't enforce that I had to. I think it was kindergarten when we learned where we got milk from, and then it grossed me out even more! Even at 5 years old, I found it strange that humans drink another animal's milk. A few years later, I started understanding that mommies produce milk to feed their babies so they grow, and I always wondered how baby cows got their milk if humans were taking it. Cut to a few years ago, when I really started understanding it all, it just really bothered me and made me sad to know how baby cows are tortured and taken from their mothers at birth just so humans can selfishly take the milk that was intended for that poor baby. Milk today is so full of the antibiotics and hormones given to the cows to produce mass amounts, that all of the vitamins and nutrients are actually stripped away from the milk. Those vitamins and nutrients are then re-added to milk before being sold, so they aren't even naturally occuring in the milk anymore...and everyone knows that nutrient substitutes are never as good for you as the real thing...so honestly, there really is no plausible reason to drink cows milk in the United States anymore, but people continue.

And if you think that it is totally natural for us to drink another species' milk, let me ask you this...if you were/are a woman, would you let your pet dog/cat/gerbile breastfeed from you? The thought probably creeps you out like no other, but really, aren't people who drink cows milk doing the same thing?? So what's with the double standard??

Anyway, Pink's new music video shows this in a very real way...it honestly freaked me out so much the way she depicts the milk industry in this, but it puts in in perspective. I also love how she takes on bullfighting, which is another thing I've always been strongly opposed to. So anyway, enjoy the video, and I'd love to hear your thoughts on it!!

Plastic Demons

In our house, we try to be as kind to our planet and to ourselves as possible. Now, we don’t have a ten-thousand page book of rules that we follow or anything, but we do always try to make conscious decisions about the things we do. I’m not going to give up baking just because I know that sugar is bad for me, but I do choose to create recipes using less sugar, and I always buy “kind” sugars. See? Just little things like that. We try to keep our trash down to one bag a week and compost everything we possibly can. When possible, we try to re-use our trash bag if it hasn’t torn or anything, but we don’t guilt and torture ourselves if it isn’t possible. I’m not going to live a life of restriction and rules to fit into some standard, and I want people to know that being vegan doesn’t mean you have to do so! Those small steps you take can make huge impacts!


Plastic waste that has gathered in our oceans...so sad.

One of the easiest things that we have done to lighten our footprint is to try and rid the household of plastic. Now, you’re probably wondering what on earth is so bad about plastic. Well, there’s a LOT bad about plastic, and reducing the amount that you use is something that is so simple that you can do that will not only benefit you, but benefit generations and generations to come.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the average American creates half a pound of plastic waste a DAY. That’s 182.5 pounds of plastic waste each year from one single person, which equals about 5 BILLION pounds a year in the US alone! Now, most plastics cannot be recycled, so the majority of this is filling up landfills, filling our oceans, wreaking havoc on our ecosystem and killing thousands of plants and animals each DAY. Not to mention, storing and microwaving foods using plastic releases dangerous chemicals and carcinogens directly into our food…now really…why on earth would we want that?!

But HOW do you get rid of all the plastic?! You really don’t realize how much you use until you try and cut it out of each part of your life. I suggest starting small and working your way up to the bigger things. As far as our house, these are some of the steps we have taken to remove plastics:

Shopping: This is the easiest and cheapest thing you can do…buy re-useable bags!! We got a bunch of them for fifty cents apiece at our local grocery store. They also hold a lot more than a plastic shopping bag, and you can fold one up and keep it in your purse just in case you have to run somewhere and pick up a few things.

Trash: If you don’t compost, or don’t have room to do so, don’t worry. There are brands of trashbags out there that are not made of plastic, and even more that are made out of recycled plastic. The brand we use are made of biodegradable bio-resin by Nature Friendly. You can find them at any grocery store, and they are only about a dollar more than regular trash bags. We buy the large box of 50 and it lasts us about a year!


Food Storage: Most people have a cupboard dedicated to “tupperware” or like products. Storing your food in plastic totally defeats the purpose of trying to eat right in the first place, because you are allowing your good foods to soak up toxic chemicals into them. The best things that I have found, and they are super cheap, too, are Ball canning jars! Not only do they look cool, but you can see exactly what is in them, how much you have, and you can get them in all sorts of sizes! We keep our dry storage (grains, beans, etc.) in the largest size, homemade condiments (vegan ranch and other salad dressings, etc.) in smaller ones in the fridge, and they are a great way to transport leftovers if you take them to work and such! Not to mention, they are easy to replace, and really inexpensive (I bought a new box of 16 of the large ones a few months ago for $6). Plus, when I go grocery shopping, I can look in the pantry and easily see what I need to stock up on.


Now, there is a LOT of other things you can do to reduce your plastic waste, but these three are small ones that have a truly ENORMOUS impact on our world and our health. If anything, start with these three, and educate yourselves on how to further eradicate plastic from your life when you’re comfortable with these. Best of luck!!!


Vegan MoFo!!!

Look at the animals you save by going Vegan!

Alright, folks. Remember way back when I posted an entry about the Heartland Farm Sanctuary, a non-profit organization starting out here in Wisconsin? Well, a really super duper awesome extraordinary story was just written up about them, and I’d love for everyone to check it out. This organization, founded by Dana Barre, is something that is totally needed in the Midwest right now, and the more money she can continue to raise, the faster we can help rescue more farm animals! Even if it’s $5…every little bit can help this amazing organization. Also, if you’re local to Madison, there is a fundraiser event in November that you should definitely look into attending! I volunteer with the animals on a weekly basis, and it is such a great experience. After the stress of the workweek and everyday life in general, it’s nice to escape to this little farm where the animals are being housed until the Sanctuary can raise enough funds for their own land and interact with these incredible animals. Honestly, look at these photos, and you’ll see what I mean! So, check out the story by clicking here, it would be great if you could donate to the Sanctuary by going to their website here, or contact the Heartland Farm Sanctuary if you’re interested in helping out in any way!

LinkDump:

Full Story Here

Video Footage taken at the Interview/Story Here

Heartland Farm Sanctuary Website Here (Donate!)

“Like” the Heartland Farm Sanctuary on Facebook!

And, I can't have a post about cute and adorable farm animals without some cute and adorable photos of them!


Diana knows that she's my little princess!


All Animals should be able to live a life this good!


Ready to play!


The two pigs that were rescued after being found wandering around Milwaukee! Photo is not mine...was borrowed from the Heartland Farm Sanctuary Facebook page.


HFS Founder Dana Barre getting some love from the goats and sheep! Photo borrowed from Madison.com story.

Peanut Butter Mexican Wedding Cakes

One of my favorite treats ever since I was young have been the traditional Mexican Wedding Cakes…even though they are Russian… but if you don’t know what I’m talking about, they are those biscuit-style cookies drowned in powdered sugar….oh so tasty! Well, last weekend, I had a really obnoxious visitor who likes to irritate me about once a month, and the only way I can keep from going postal on her is by drowning myself in sweets…so that is EXACTLY what I did!


I really wanted peanut butter…but I also had a nostalgic craving for these cookies I remember oh so well from Holiday cookie platters. So, I attempted in my best effort, to combine the two, and the results were a pretty freaking awesome twist on the traditional cake cookie!

Peanut Butter Mexican Wedding Cakes
1 1/2 cups flour
1 cup peanut butter
1/4 cup oil
3/4 cups sugar
1 tsp. vanilla

Mix all ingredients in a bowl (because of how thick and dry the dough is, it’s easiest to knead it together with your hands). Roll the dough into 2-inch balls, place on an ungreased cookie sheet, and bake at 400°F for 10 to 12 minutes.
Okay seriously, can it get any easier than that?!?!

Now, for half of these, I made my own powdered sugar from some organic and vegan cane sugar by throwing half a cup into the blender and blending until it was powder. I then rolled half the cookie balls in this powdered sugar.

For the other half, because this didn’t make me feel like a big enough cow, I drizzled them in Vanilla Agave Nectar for another new twist on the traditional cookie. These ones turned out to be my favorite, and with how easy they are, they may become a new Holiday staple! Also, in comparison with traditional cookies, they really aren’t all that bad for you, considering there are no eggs, and very little oil, so you don’t have to feel as guilty when you eat, say, ten of them!



On a side note, I’ve been looking into incorporating ads on my blog. Supposedly, each time someone clicks on an ad, it adds up. I’m in no way trying to make money off this blog…it’s all for fun. However, I was thinking that any money I could make off of it, be it a couple bucks or so, I could donate to my local animal charities…make my blog even kinder! So, I’d love some feedback…if I had ads, and you knew that each click meant money for animal rescues, would you click them?? It would essentially be like you’re donating money without having to spend a buck…input?

Make the World a Better Place...One Purse at a Time

Hello blogosphere! Sorry it’s been a hot minute since I’ve updated, but it’s just one of those weeks where you’re pulled in 500 different directions, ya dig?! Anyway, I wanted to share a pretty rad story with all of you, while letting you know about a freaking amazing vegan product. If you haven’t heard of her already, than now you will, and I would HIGHLY suggest getting up close and personal with the amazing products of Susan Nichole. Susan Nichole is your one-stop shop for all things stylish and trendy when it comes to handbags a la couture…and cruelty-free to boot! I mean seriously, does it get much better?! Not only are her bags of the finest quality, but this is definitely one of the most “kind” businesses I have ever come across…not only to the customers, but to the world. From purses full of essential supplies shipped to Haiti by the boatload after the earthquake, to using sustainable kind materials in her purses, to her WEEKLY FACEBOOK GIVEAWAYS just for being a fan…this company is truly one of a kind. Following is a guest blog by one of the coolest people I know…my mom. Take a look at what she has to say about Susan Nichole, and afterward, definitely check out her website, and “like” her on Facebook

I clearly remember a Saturday in Oak Harbor, Washington in 1970 when I was 9 years old walking to the dime store to buy my weekly 45 record (3-Dog Night…just sayin), when I stopped dead in my tracks at a display window in our only shoe store in town. There was a light brown suede purse, with colored suede appliqué of a desert scene. The sky opened and I literally heard angels sing. A week later, after many odd jobs…it belonged to me. That purse started my love affair with bags that has never wavered in the 40 years since that day.

My closet’s built-in shelves hold one of a kind Dior, Choo, Gucci, and Furla bags to name a few. I hold more equity in these bags than I do in my home. I can spot a cheap bag or a fake at 500 feet.

I am not a Vegan or Vegetarian. (Had to look up how to spell vegetarian….) But, this year I have started paying more attention to the amounts and source of the meat and fish I choose to consume. My daughter, a Vegan, has educated me on the importance of locally and humanly raised meat. I only shop at markets where meats are locally and organically grown. No factory farms. I buy fish after checking the Sustainable Fish List (which changes weekly, btw.) No fish farms where fish are fed dangerous corn pellets, breaking every law of nature.


I feel good. I feel proud, until I wander into my Mecca. My Church. The Versace Store. As I lovingly hold (hug) a bag that literally brings tears to my eyes, the genetically altered (because she’s impossibly beautiful and airbrushed) shop girl says, “Isn’t that leather just like butter?” I stopped in my tracks. All the arguments of leather being a bi-product of the meat industry, ie.; factory farms, roared in my head. By purchasing this bag…I am still supporting factory farms. Even though the farm was Italian…it was still a factory farm. I could not guarantee that the animals were humanely raised and killed. I felt sick.

My daughter had once told me about Susan Nichole Handbags. A grassroots, cottage based company that designs, creates and sells 100% vegan bags. I “friended” them on Facebook to support my daughter, but never really paid attention. But after this experience, I ordered one. $65? Are you serious? If I didn’t like it, I would put it in the Christmas closet for Danielle. (sorry honey). I also ordered a bag from Shoe Dazzle, claiming all man made materials. ($39.95) The Shoe Dazzle came first, and I looked and looked at it. Not bad. Took it to Starbucks on a weekend…I was asked if it was the new Jimmy Choo! My real Jimmy Choo ($2795.00)…never gets attention like that! When my Susan Nichole bag arrived….I kept it near me for three days. Talk about butta? This is a gorgeous, gorgeous bag! I have a few SN Bags now and they sit proudly next to their Italian, less humane cousins.

In my research of vegan friendly bags, I’ve found many mainstream companies and designers have started vegan lines of business. My daughter and I agree to disagree on the merits of these companies. Susan Nichole ventured out to make humane and fashionable bags as their core line of business. Not a side line, but the life line of this integrity and quality driven company. My daughter, Danielle and this company have changed my philosophy not only on my food consumerism, but my fashion consumerism. There are many companies like Susan Nichole Handbags who are out there doing the right things, for the right reasons. I’m honored to carry their bags and to support them.

Photo Credit for all photos: Susan Nichole Facebook Page


Doesn’t my mom totally rock?!

Sexy, Sassy, Vegan Shoes!!

I’m writing this as I anxiously await notification that my latest delivery has arrived. Having moved from Los Angeles to Madison, I had prepared myself to have a hard time finding good vegan food, restaurants, groceries, etc., but have been pleasantly surprised since being here at the abundance of it in this area. The one thing I do miss though, is (insert witty L.A. stereotype here) shopping!! Shopping has always been something that I love to do, and well, no offense Madison, but you’re not really known for your fashion! After moving here, I went 5 months before purchasing a new pair of shoes, which I am pretty sure is some kind of record for me, because, even after scouring nearly every shoe store in Madison, I found NOTHING that was currently cute or trendy! Call me superficial all you want, but this girl loves her shoes!!


Well, my mother turned me on to this amazing website. It’s basically like a “shoe of the month” club! It’s $39 a month (but you only pay this on the months that you want something…if you don’t get anything for 6 months, you don’t pay the money for those months…you’re not locked into anything!). Each month, you have a selection of ten or so pairs of shoes that are straight off the current runways in your “showroom”. You also have a selection of purses and jewelry. Now, when my mom told me about the site, my first response was “are the shoes vegan?” She said she was unsure, but because of the low price, was pretty sure they didn’t use any real leather or anything. But, before I started a membership, I emailed the company. I had an email response within an HOUR! Talk about customer satisfaction! Their response was “all of the shoes constructed with man-made materials and therefore vegan.” Yay! So, I signed up, took their “fashion quiz” (this gives them an idea of the styles of clothing you like, so they know what kinds of shoes you’d like to see each month) and the next day, had tons of amazing shoes and bags to pick from! Now remember, every single thing is only $39…and this includes shipping! Plus, if you get something and it doesn’t fit, or you don’t like it anymore, you get free shipping back to them! They will either send you a different size (if that’s what you want) or give you a credit which you can use on anything else, whenever you want!


Now, let me just say, the shoes are not only cute and vegan (which, cute vegan shoes are hard to find anywhere!), but they are super comfortable, too! Every time I wear a pair, I get stopped all through the halls at work and on the street, people complimenting me on my shoes. So, if you like shoes as much as I do, I seriously suggest you check this site out. And, if you want to sign up, let me know before you do! If I “refer” you, you get 20% off your first order!! But, the only way to sign up via a referral is if you sign up via a link I have to email you. So, you can send me an email at dayzeerock@gmail.com with the email address you will use to sign up, and I’ll send you a ShoeDazzle referral for your 20%!
So, take a look, and enjoy!!


The following photos are some screenshots of shoe selections, as well as personal shoes from them!

Party Like a (Vegan) Rockstar!!!

Art by Norman "Sailor Jerry" Collins...also who my favorite *vegan* rum is by!!

Hey all! Sorry it’s been quite some time since I’ve updated, but this week has been busy, a bit stressful, and really hasn’t left me too much time to update this! For the past month, my new medication has really put me on a wacked-out schedule, and I honestly feel like I’m getting worse, and not better. I have felt super stressed out, and although it’s not the best thing for me, sometimes a cocktail or five at the end of a week like this is just what the Doctor ordered!

One of the things that vegans may not realize, however, is that a lot of alcohol is NOT vegan-friendly! Did you know that sometimes FISH BLADDERS are used to filter alcohol when being processed?!?! Talk about a major yuck-factor! Not to mention how many different beers and liquors are made with dairy products, or honey (I know some vegans aren’t opposed to honey, but some are). In fact, there can be a lot of animal products found in that tasty little stress-reliever-in-a-high-ball that you will never know about, because they are not required to put those things on the labels of alcohol. Which leads me to one of my ultimate-favorite websites:

www.barnivore.com

This website has nearly every brand/type/bottle of booze you can think of on it, and it lets you know whether or not it’s vegan, vegetarian, or neither. The sources on the website have come direct from the distilleries themselves, and have been fact-checked, so they are very accurate. And seriously, if you cannot find a certain type of alcohol on this site, you can either send them a request to investigate, or what you’re drinking is probably some type of moonshine! It has EVERYTHING!! You can check this site before heading to your favorite watering hole or liquor store, so you know that everything you plan on indulging in is in fact, cruelty-free! So Happy Friday the 13th!! Have a great weekend! Live it up! And of course, be responsible out there!!

A Little Rock and Roll Couldn't Hurt...!!!

Me, rocking out with some of my favorite peeps!


So, I watched a film last night on my computer called “Edge” about the straightedge subculture amongst the punk-rock scene.
Being somewhat of a “rocker girl” myself, I found the film quite interesting, as it seemed to go hand in hand with one of my all-time favorite books, Dharma Punx by Noah Levine. The book is an interesting tale of punk rock and religion, and how the two can truly become one entity. The film I watched last night was very similar. A lot of it was about the drug-free movement amongst certain punk rockers and a sober, yet still totally rock and roll lifestyle. There was also a part in it about animal cruelty, and being completely drug-free and cruelty free, and still being rock and roll. Now, some people may think that you can’t be hardcore and rock and roll without the “extreme” lifestyles of debauchery and drug usage and the biting off of bat heads (I love my Ozzy, but this thought gives me nightmares!). I mean, I’m not saying that you can’t have a good time…I’ve been known to throw down a 5th of Jack before a party has even started, but that’s beside the point! What I’m getting at is, you don’t have to fit into a mold to be who you are. Just because you are vegan doesn’t mean you have to run around smelling like onions because you don’t shower and don’t shave and hug every tree you see. Just as much as being rock and roll or punk rock doesn’t mean you have to live your life in a drug-fueled, hate-fueled haze.
Anyway, I think that this is an excellent movie, and everyone should definitely try and watch it, vegan or not. Like I said, it’s just a small part about animal cruelty in it, but I think that it speaks volumes. It was also produced by Compassion Media, which is a great production company to support. Give it a watch, and tell me what you think! And, if you don’t believe you can rock the stage until the sun comes up without animal protein, check out this small compilation of musicians (just that I know of, I’m sure there are more) who go out and do it every night!!


Joan Jett
Prince
Karl Buechner of Earth Crisis/Freya
Ray Cappo of Youth Of Today/Shelter

Ian MacKaye of Minor Threat
Bull Gervasi of R.A.M.B.O.

Chrissie Hynde
Quinn Allman of the Used
Fiona Apple
Hunter Burgan of AFI
Davey Havok of AFI
Terence “Geezer” Butler of Black Sabbath
Dave Davies of the Kinks
Boy George
Dave Goodman, original producer of the Sex Pistols
Alanis Morissette
Reggie Riot of Three Man Riot

Pat Thetic of Anti-Flag
Weird Al Yankovic (no, I’m not kidding!)

So there. And like I said, I’m sure that this is not all of them, just ones that I have heard of around the grapevine. So you can have your rock and be cruelty-free, too!!!