Bunny Blog Pledge - Buy Cruelty-Free

I say NO to CRUEL COSMETICS...

WHY?

Because I love animals
and I am an animal lover
and I can't in good conscious use products that are tested on animals...and most often tested on rabbits...
Because the sad and gruesome fact is that millions of bunnies face the horrors of
product testing everyday...
and it's partly because not enough people are protesting it or care enough to make changes & some are just sadly ignorant of what test lab animals go through for us...
are YOU OKAY it???  I sure as hell am not.

That is why I recently signed up for the 'BUNNY BLOG PLEDGE'.

This blog pledge comes in the form of a paper bunny that is travelling around the globe from

bunny loving blogger to bunny loving blogger.

Bloggers, like yours truly, who LOVES animals, especially rabbits and who vow to buy

CRUELTY-FREE COSMETICS....

(The pledge bunny arrived with a sweet postcard from the previous host & I happily brewed a pot of peppermint tea so I could sit down and visit all the other bloggers who signed the rabbit).

Those participating are hoping to spread the word through our blogs on the

importance of buying Cruelty-Free.

Miss Bunny has travelled well so far...she has visited:

Annette Tait in the UK...than she travelled to a bunny named Jet & her Mama...

than she went to see Juliet Wilson over in Scotland.

Than she had a visit with Charlotte and Humphrey of Cottontails Baby.

Than hopped over to Jane, Max & Molly in Edinburgh.

Than she went to visit Gill's Garden alongside buns Daisy and Archie...

Now she's popping in to me, in North Bay Canada and from here
she'll move onto Donna Swan & her furry brood in Dallas Texas and from there to a new place and so on...

As I said rabbit's are the #1 test lab subject for cosmetics & household products.
It breaks my heart every single day to think of what's happening those rabbits 'out there'
(hence my dreams of someday opening a rabbit rescue for such sweethearts).

...

Beautiful rabbits like our Jinny (shown here)...

just because they have very sensitive eyes and skin.

Can YOU be a Part Of That???

I can't...
which is why I've been buying Cruelty-Free Cosmetics & such for years now.

My make up comes from either AVON or REVLON or Burt's Bees,

all cruelty-free companies whom I feel good buying from...
(even though neither Avon or Revlon advertise their cruelty-free sides).

Some quickies that I can think of that you'll want to avoid are any products from
Johnsons & Johnsons and Proctor and Gamble as they are BIG testers...

and popular products like:
Aveeno, AquaFresh, Aussie, Arm & Hammer, Always, Acuvue, Biotherm, Calgon, Clairol, Clearasil, Colgate, Clean & Clear, Clorox, Coppertone, Crest, Dove, Febreeze, L'Oreal, Glade, Ivory, Iams, Herbal Esscences, Head & Shoulders, Lacome, Listerine, Max Factor, Maybelline, Nair, Neutragena, Nice & Easy, Pampers, Olay, Old Spice, Palmolive, Ponds, Pantene, Pearl Drops, Suave, Swiffer, Vaseline, Vidal Sassion, Vicks..and so on, ALL of which ARE TESTED ON ANIMALS...
even lines such as Christina Aguileras Perfumes are tested on animals.
(refer to this list for more names, etc)

There's tons of choices for kind alternatives however, you just have to take the time to look, research
and ultimately care.

It's easy to spot the 'Not Test On Animals' line or the not tested bunny logo...
and keep in mind that just because a product doesn't have these identifying marks,
 doesn't necessarily mean they are tested...
some companies don't advertise anywhere on their packaging that they are cruelty-free
(though I do find that most who are cruelty-free do advertise as such).
If you don't see the cruelty-free line or logo than just 'google' any brand/product your thinking of buying
or simply look up the ones your already using & which your not sure about...

(don't forget there are always links listed here on my sidebar of Cruelty-Free lists I like to use. 
I am partial to this list & this list).

There are MANY companies who have 'no-testing' policies...
and it's easy to find out who does and who doesn't and than switch from those who do.

(but don't forget, it helps to take an extra step and send the bad companies a letter or email
telling them why your switching from their products and to voice that kindness is a priority for you...
especially towards those who have no voice of their own).

Some companies that do test on animals, such as Clorox, do have products that aren't tested,
like the readily available line called 'Green Works'.
Is buying these products just lining the pockets of a bad company?
or
Is it sending them the message that there is a market for Cruelty-Free?
the choice is yours...the latter is better than nothing in my opinion.

You don't have to replace all your items ALL AT ONCE...just finding one replacement at a time can make the task of 'switching over' seem 'less daunting' & are steps towards a kinder lifestyle.
(Jonathan and I are still looking for a really great cruelty-free under arm deodorant)

BUYING CRUELTY-FREE IS EASY

And it doesn't have to mean more money. That is a common misconception...
And even when it does cost abit more, isn't knowing an animal won't suffer for your choice, worth it?

Sadly, as I said, rabbits, (especially those with red eyes) are the most common test lab subject.

I could never in good conscious, snuggle up to my fur babies,
knowing my make up and products were tested on any of their precious long-eared kind...

I can't stress how EASY it is to BUY CRUELTY-FREE...
AND Not just cosmetics...
But face creams, soaps, oils, cleaning products and perfumes, etc...too.

I have a few favourite company's
(click right here to read another blog post I wrote on my favourite cruelty-Free Jason's products)
(and right here to read a post on cruelty-free Earth Therapeutics products)
I also love Kiss My Face products...
Let me show you some of my other favs that I eagerly use right now...

Avalon Organics has many beautiful products and I can't get enough of their face creams...

I am somewhat of a face cream addict., ha ha...

I have many kinds in the house and ALL are Cruelty-Free

...40 Carrots is another big favourite of mine

(as you can see I stocked up a a few tubes, ha ha).

There are soooo many lovelies out there....

and usually the cruelty-free brands are also natural or organic lines as well, which is just a bonus!

As with cosmetics and beauty products there are many cleaning products that are cruelty-free.

One of my favourite household line is from the brilliant and fantastic company called 'Method'.

They cover a large range of cleaners including a wonderful Cruelty-Free wood cleaner that I love using...

I can't praise 'Method' supplies enough.
Seriously, if your not able to get these products where you live they are soooo worth ordering by mail.
(especially the baby laundry detergents...I LOVE them & the 'Rice Milk & Mallow scents ROCK).

Cruelty-Free products are readily available in regular shops like Shoppers Drug Mart, grocery stores and places such as Canadian Tire, Walmart, even Winners/Homesense usually has a lovely selection...
thinking cruelty-free is just a speciality item is wrong.
and what you can't get in town, think about ordering online.

It may not be something you can do overnight...especially if you live in smaller towns, but it is possible and so worth it and most certainly a positive action to really prove that you love animals.

REALLY, Once you start looking for that little 'Not Tested On Animals' line and/or the not-tested bunny rabbit logo, you'll be pleasantly surprised at how often you come across it...
and your be pleasantly surprised at how easy it is to put back the products that don't have them....
because kind people want and can make kind choices
& if your still lagging on the decision, than think of any animals you have at home or have ever loved...
...
Think of them stuck in a small cold metal cage day in and day out
only to be taken out every day for a torture session...
having their eyes pinned open as a monster drops in perfume or detergent or goodness knows what...
just to see if they are scalded or blinded...or worse.
(as a long standing PETA member/supporter you wouldn't believe some of the things these rabbits & animals go through, it truly is heart-wrenching)

I truly think that my bunnies love us just that much more for making the choice to go
CRUELTY-FREE...

I can hear their sweet little hearts say...

Thank You Mama & Daddy....

So please from the bottom of my heart...

Buy Cruelty-Free...

Rabbits and animals around the world will thank you...

especially the sweethearts stuck in Testing Labs.

Our own precious Jinny, Jaks, Ella Luna, Roo and our fur angels Beanie, Thodan, Gimmley, Noodle, Hobbs and Hazel send you all extra love and virtual bun snuggles if you do...

XO Mandy & The Bunnies XO

(If Your Interested In Hosting Ms.Rabbit for the Bun Blog Pledge please do email me at MandySaile@BijousWhimsy.com or sign up here and we'll get your name on the hosting list, Thank You).

Owlette Odalis

Another new Owlette.

This one is named "Odalis"

I love how grouchy he looks, ha ha.

He is indeed yet another coloured pencil on gessoed pine.
I LOVE the colour mixture on this one...the turquoise, greens and oranges...scrumptious.

(Prints of Odalis & the other Owlettes are coming soon).

Tell me, DO YOU like his grouchiness?
It can't always be peaches and sunshine-y goodness now can it!
BUT Let's do try to make sure MOST of the time is, ha ha

XO A Bijou who just adores the sound of her bunnies eating banana XO

Winner of Blog Giveaway & The Days Going-On's

Drum Roll Please....

DDDDDRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR........

Congrats Stephey, I am so glad that you won, YAYYYY...

Do get in touch with me & send me your address so I can get this little guy mailed out to you.

Thanks so so much to everyone who entered.

This giveaway harnessed the most entries yet.

There were many wonderful answers to the giveaway question of

'what's your favourite animal and why'.

It would seem that the majority choose CATS as their favourite animal...

(which is funny to me because they are one of my least favourites,

with their common habits of killing and maiming smaller animals for the mere fun of it!!!)

Than people seemed to love BIRDS...

Than their own DOGGIES...

Than RABBITS (Yayyy rabbits)...

Than HORSES...

and there were other lovely answers like Blue Herons & Monkeys....

Thanks to EVERYONE who entered, all of your answers were fun to read.

Anyhoo...I've had 10 or 11 days now of being plagued by constant 24/7 sinus & allergy headaches...
it feels like someone has my head in a vice and is just squeezing and squeezing my poor noggin....

BUT 

I am off to enjoy the day despite the insistent pressure and pain...

with grass romping bunnies, though it looks like thunder and rain will soon arrive...

with a book about Jane Austen...

with my sketchbook, where over the weekend 2 new delicious lovelies started to emerge...

with a big pot of peppermint tea...

and with watercolours & the camcorder, because a new YouTube painting demo is in the works.

Have a lovely one lovelies...See you all soon. XO

May's Newsletter

I know it's now June but I just wanted to mention that my May e-newsletter was sent out
a few days ago...

If you are interested in receiving them just click here for fast and easy sign up.

You will only be emailed once a month (except for very special occasions, maybe once or twice a year).

Your email will remain private (and will not be sold or shared with anyone)

and

If you decide the newsletter is not for you, taking your name off the list is super duper easy...

BUT most people seem to enjoy my newsletters so you likely won't have to worry about that last bit.

Thanks Everyone...

Have a wonderfully creative & excellent weekend.

XO Mandy & 4 bunnies who did quite well this year when their flea meds were administered XO

Happy Birthday To My Mom

I am going to show you an old illustration of mine today...Her name is...

"Miss Penelope Posy"

(she is the character of a story I have kicking around in my noggin)

I am showing you this illustration because I know that she is

one of my moms favourites.

and today is my awesome mom's BIRTHDAY...YAYYYYY...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM...

I

LOVE

LOVE

LOVE

YOU

We all do...

XXXOOO Me & Jonathan & Ella Luna & Roo & Jinny & Jaks XXXOOO

(Psst...Only a few more days to enter your name for my original birdie giveaway)

New PRINTS available

Over at my Etsy Shop.

XO Bijou & Her Bunnies XO

BIrds Of A Feather Exhibition

So as many of you know I just finished up my 3rd solo gallery exhibition called

'Birds Of A Feather'

at the W.K.P Kennedy Gallery, here in my little city of North Bay.

I thought I'd share some photos with you...

My sweetie & I are almost done a great little promotional site for the exhibition.

I can't wait to show you all...it'll have more photos not shown here, video & interview sections.

It will act as a lovely little archive of the show, as well as a nice virtual tour of sorts.

There were definitely some 'snags' with this show...
Such as it going from a planned 4 week run and being cut down to a mere 10 day run!

Having no choice but to hang the entire show just a few hours before the opening which was totally exhausting and left me just a tad too popped to thoroughly enjoy my special night...
....etc....
BUT you gotta roll with the punches after all..and try to concentrate on the positives....

It was a lovely space to show in & a treat to have my exhibit in the same place where years ago

I worked as gallery coordinator, alongside the amazing Dennis Geden.

(a job I loved but one I left for pursuit of my own full-time art making).

I had many lovelies & sweet-hearts come out to support me on my special night...

including a large flow of people I didn't know.

Hopefully, my grant will be approved & that will help with costs of the show...fingers crossed!

and it's ultimately something new that is proudly added to my artist's c.v.

I must send out extra love and huge thanks to:
My Jonathan, who has so much patience with yours truly...it's not a light task to live with an
artist, let alone one whose preparing for a show, but no one does it better than my guy...
Thanks oodles to my Dad, he swooped in and made me such beautiful frames for over 20 pieces,
even whiles suffering with a broken foot! 
He's no matter what, always on my side & sometimes that all a sensitive little artist needs...
Thanks to my mom, someone I can count out blindly & who is always there to help
with the tiniest or biggest of things...you rock mom...
and thanks to my pal Jules, who helped me hang my show & who tirelessly
wrestled with demon screws on my behalf...
XXOO to you all.

Thanks so much for having a look.

Have a superb weekend.

(As you read this I am likely prowling a bookstore & sipping on a Starbucks coffee with a bag full of art supplies by my side...so if this be true, I am having a lovely day indeed).

XO Mandy & Ella Luna, whose fur has finally all grown in again all beautiful like XO

Merret St.John

Finally I introduce you to the 3rd birdie making up the motley crew alongside

Shim Bivel-Baum & Camden Trott-Worth...

...kindly say Hello to....

Merret St.John

Merret seems to be the more serious leader of the group with a keen interest in the weather....

Shim is abit of a joker and likes to keep things light and positive...

Whiles Camden is a keep-on-schedule & mapped-out-route type of fella...

A motley feathered crew indeed that just seems to work perfectly together.

(Prints of all 3 are coming soon)

I am off to another full day of photo editing
(I always really enjoy this task)...
It's the perfect day to do so to because as I always chant on rainy days....
"It's Raining, It's Pouring The Bunnies Are Snoring"
(espeacially after a few hours of leaping and zooming around the grass the last few days)

Thanks oodles for stopping by.

XO Mandy & her 4 dozing fur babies XO

p.s. Do you guys prefer the x-large images or just the large, like in this post???
...I can't make up my mind!

Camden Trott-Worth

Introducing Shim's little feathered buddy...

Camden Trott-Worth

I really like this little series, there are 3 so far...one more to show you after this guy.

Our long weekend was most excellent & included lots of lovelies like:
Gardening & tomato planting
rabbits frolicking outside
reading in the pouring rain
oodles of movies
soft ice cream by the lakeside whiles ducks visited at our feet
going to bed each night to the sounds of the carnival just down the street
running to a window every time we heard fire works being set off in neighbouring backyards
and being lulled happily every evening by frogs croaking away midnight tunes
....ahhh.....
I am feeling a bit more smoothed out now....

Did anyone do anything special???

XO Mandy, Ella Luna the spazzy & Roo Boo the sleepy XO

Food Friday - Meatless Golden Tofu Soup

As promised...a recipe
Though on retrospect, I will likely not share a recipe every Friday after all...
I gave it further thought and realized that I love blogging the most when I keep my posts free form...
This beloved blogling of mine will remain more true blue if I share & show when & what
I want to share and show and not just because that's what's 'scheduled' to be shown...
ya know what I mean?  ah, I am quite sure you do.

Anyhoo...today there is a recipe I want to share.  This soup is super easy, fast and YUUUMMMY.

Start by heating a tbsp of olive oil in a soup pot...

than...

-chop 1 onion & grate 1 tbsp of ginger root...put them into the oil in the pot and cook until soft.

-Than add in 2.5 tbsp of curry paste

(I usually don't have paste so I just add milk or water to make my curry powder into a paste).

-Add the paste to the pot.

-Also to the pot add 1000ml of veggie stock & 2 cans of coconut milk(yummy)

-Now your going to want to stir in 2 tbsps of sugar and abit of honey as well...to sweeten up that curry.

At this point, have your soup on a simmer...

Than add in your choice of veggies...about 2 cups worth but really as much as your prefer.

I added mushrooms, red pepper and broccoli to this batch

(the next batch we agreed that we'll substitute grated carrot for the mushrooms)

-Lastly you'll cube a package of your favourite medium firm tofu...preferably organic & put that into the pot.

Bring it all to a boil for about 5 minutes...than lower the heat to a simmer & let cook for a further 10 minutes.

Voila....

Yummy easy peasy golden tofu soup.

I tell ya, I love having a guy who eats tofu...most guys I know would say 

'ewwww tofu, no way'  without ever have even tried it!

Veg-Head guys rule:D...as does this soup.

XO Mandy, Jonathan, & the Bunnies XO 

Shim Bivel-Baum

My exhibition installation shots aren't ready to share yet so I thought I'd introduce you to
a new little guy who is in the exhibition but whom you've not seen yet...

Meet...

Shim Bivel-Baum

He is a mixed media on canvas...that brillant strip of orange is actually a silk ribbon...

he has 2 other pals you'll be meeting soon.
Isn't he a cutie with one of thee best names, ha ha (I let Jonathan name the cuties in this series).

Hope your all having a sweet, green-filled, bee-buzzing day...we certainly are.

XO M & The Grass Romping Bunnies XO

Birds Of A Feather Article

Well my 3rd solo exhibition 'Birds Of A Feather' is now up.

I have to go back to get better installation shots (I'll post those soon).

For today I wanted to share the wonderful newspaper article that ran about my show.

I've been in the local paper quite a few times now but this article is by far my favourite.

XO A Very Pooped Bijou XO

Original Giveaway

Time for a GIVEAWAY.

An ORIGINAL from Yours Truly...

a teeny tiny piece to celebrate the beauty of nature & it's feathered friends.

This is a 2.5 inch x 2.5 inch original coloured pencil mounted on a wooden block and is ready to hang.

How Do You Enter, You May Ask??

Simple...

*Just leave a comment on this post and

tell me what your favourite animal is and why*

Those of you who mention this giveaway on your blogs, twitter or facebook,

or those of you who sign up for my newsletter,

...will have your names entered twice.

(Please do a separate comment for each type of entry)

The Winner will be announced on June 6th 2011

GOOD LUCK

I'll be leaving you with this post for the rest of the week....
Last minute show preparations have me super duper busy, wish me luck...it's gonna a tight deadline!

For anyone local (though I know only a handful of people here in town visit my blog!)
I do hope you'll come out to my exhibition's opening...This Friday, May 13th 7-9pm.

XO Bijou & Her Hon Buns XO

Note:  Comments/Entries for this Giveaway are now closed.
Thanks to all who entered.

Hattie and Humphrey

Happy Monday.  I hope all the mommies out there had a special weekend....
Today I am hopping in quickly to introduce you to....

"Hattie and Humphrey"

These two pals love to talk & quarrel over politics. 

By day, Hattie is a newspaper columnist and Humphrey is her fact checker. 

By night they crochet, knit and spin yarn to make sweaters for orphaned orangutans...

Ah two souls after my own heart.



This is a mixed media & I had so much fun with it. 
Give me some coloured pencils and I know I can work some magic but paints...epp...I still get nervous BUT
I am learning to accept my meager painting skills & to still enjoy the process of painting...
I mean I am not after a Mona Lisa creation after all, ha ha. 
This sweetie is acrylic paint and ink on a papered and painted background.

(Prints will be available soon)

See you Wednesday for a special giveaway.

XO Mandy &  4 Box Loving Bunnies

Food Friday: Meat-Free Sheperd's Pie

I've been planning on sharing some of my favourite food recipes on this blog of mine...
so finally here we go, I'll try posting a new recipe every Friday.
(except next Friday which I am taking off from blogging).

I make a mean Shepherd's Pie....and it doesn't have any meat in it.

Jonathan loves it, my dad always goes back for 2nd's and I think it's scrumptious (& guilt-free)...

Want to try it out, it's super easy to make???

You'll want to preheat your oven to 350 degrees.

AND

You'll want to put on your potatoes at this time.  I steam the potatoes and usually use 5-6 small ones.

THAN

-In a large pan, put 1 tbsp of olive oil...let that heat up and than...

-Add 1 large onion, finely chopped...let that cook up till the onion is nice and soft.

-Let the liquid and onions cook together for a couple minutes.

-Than add the soy ground meat (we use Yves Hamburger) and let that simmer until the 'meat' is cooked.
-Than add 1 cup of vegetable stock or a cup of water with a spoon of gravy mix.

-Than your going to add vegetables.  As much as you like. 

I usually use corn shredded from 2 corn cobs and usually 2-4 shredded carrots.

-Let the veg cook with the rest of the mixture for about 5 minutes, stirring often so nothing burns.

-Your done with the pan, wohoo....

NOW

Take a casserole dish and scoop the mixture into it, spreading it evenly.

-Spread your mashed potatoes over the mixture.

-Grate some cheese on top and sprinkle some fresh pepper and salt

THAN

Put it in the oven for 25-30 minutes and

VOILA...

Enjoy Meat-Free Shepherds Pie.

Happy & Kind Eating To You.
XO Mandy, Jonathan & The Bunnies XO

Birds Of A Feather Invite

This is what we conjured up for my exhibition's invite...



What do you think???

XO Bijou, Soon To Be Having Her 3rd Solo Show XO 

Owlette Oakley

Happy Monday Everyone.
Today I am introducing my newest Owlette....

Oakley

Whoo wanted to fly in and say 'Hoot Hoot Hello'

(Prints Will Be Available Soon in my Etsy Shop, I'll let you know when)



You'd perhaps think that Ella Luna, Roo, Jinster and Jaks mind their mama making these Owlettes...

But No Worries...

These owls of mine are of the vegetarian nature & befriend the long-earred kind
(Oh wouldn't that be nice in real life!!!)

I've had a hell of a few days with a monster migraine plaguing me,
I lost pretty much all of Thursday, Friday, Saturday and most of Sunday night.
Most of that time was spent in a dark bedroom, covered in ice packs & with a pillow over my head,
 not fun!
Today I am still feeling abit of the aftermath and must move really slowly, ugh.
I really hope that's it for awhile.  Before this bad bout I was doing pretty well for a couple of weeks. 

I hope your all pain-free, enjoying this rainy yet cozy day and that your weeks are off to a wonderful start?

XO An owl making Bijou & her owlette friendly bunnies XO