Sunscreen--how safe is it??

The EWG recently updated their sunscreen database for 2010.  I thought I had safe sunscreen.  Wow, was I wrong!  This list has identified potential ingredients that may be harmful.  Unfortunately the stores are completely stocked with the items that are potentially harmful.  It's like they're saying... HEY, use me!  Use me!  You know you should use something, it's better than nothing...

But is it really?  Is using bad sunscreen better than no sunscreen?

I was never a active user of sunscreen (maybe SPF 4).  In fact, when I was a teenager and totally knew more than anyone else, I would lather baby oil on my skin and sit in my back yard.  I would sit, literally, for hours.  I'd read books, have a snack, or nap.  My summers were consumed on my lawn chair. 

Almost 20 years later, I can see the results of torturing my skin.  That's what it was, torture.  My skin had no chance of survival with all the baby oil I had used.  My skin, right now, is not as bad as you think.  I do have freckles.  I have dark freckles and light freckles.  Then I do have freckles from the sun.  Freckles sound so much better than sun spots.  But they're there and a piece of me feels burned, demolished.  These sunspots seem to appear darker when I've been in the sun.  I feel like I'm being tricked and my skin looks tanned, but really, they're just my sunspots getting darker.  UGH!

So I have issues trying to turn back time.  I'm beyond help at this point and I can only try and stop what is already happening.  I've been using sunscreen that costs four times the amount of the common sunscreens you see on every shelf.  I've been spending so much more money on sunscreen that (I hope) is safer. 

Even more important, I can stop these crazy sunspots from attacking my kids body.  It's only fair to his future to keep him safe and healthy.  Because you know, the summer should be fun.  We should be able to play in the sun, the water, the sand.  We should be able to do that without wearing a full body suit.  We should feel safe and protected with a sunscreen that will do what it has promised to do.  Protect our skin.

Meet Up with the Girls

I was late, but that didn't bother me. 

I enjoy putting my kid to bed.  It's a ritual he and I love.  So I'm sure they'd understand.  It's not like they'd question me.  In fact, I wasn't the only one who was tardy.

It had been a wicked hot day and as the sun was setting it didn't seem to let up.  The air changed when I drove over the bridge to downtown.  The night air was cool.  Colder than I had anticipated.  The drastic change in weather put me in a good mood.  It was going to be a good night.

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Out of one hundred members, there were five of us meeting up.  I am starting to foresee some good friendships coming from this, and our bond is reassuring.  I'm surprised at how comfortable I am around them, even before having my glass of wine. 

We share stories.  We ask for advice.  We laugh.  And we even have tears in our eyes.  It was a night full of hidden treasures.

My first Etsy purchase!

I made my first Etsy purchase!!  I ordered my Market Tote bag on Wednesday and paid with PayPal.  After three days my payment was accepted.  My Tote was mailed that same day from CA and I received it here in NH on Monday!  That's mighty speedy, dontcha think?

Thank you Queen Puff Puff!

The fabric is designed by Amy Butler.  I learned about Amy Butler from decor8.  Just type Amy Butler in her search box and you will find many many pages of Amy Butler on her blog.  I love the designs, the colors, the boldness of it all.  It's quite delicious if you ask me. 

I'm not very into brands and labels.  They don't interest me and never will.  And I have zero knowledge about fashion, design, or art.  But last week I found myself on a hunt for a bag made with Amy Butler fabric.  I was so excited and I made my purchase within minutes of finding my treasure. 

Today, I have my treasure with me and I cannot stop staring at it, my Market Tote bag.  I can't wait to bring it to the farmer's market and load it up with wine, cheese, lettuce, and soap.  Can you picture it?  I can almost smell it, it's that exciting for me.