Bamboo Toothbrushes

Hey Deer Ones,

It's been a while, I know. Blogging and shopping (aside from groceries) is not really a big part of my life anymore as I've regrettably had to move into adult life but I still kind of miss it and want to start making posts again. As time has passed my interests have evolved, I have put a higher value on sustainable practices and purchasing choices and I want my posts to reflect that. So here we go...

Australia uses 30 million toothbrushes a year. These are hard plastic, non-recyclable items that end up in landfill where it will remain for a long time. Switching to a sustainable bamboo brush is a very simple and affordable way we can reduce the impact this has.

I am currently looking into different brands to pick my own. If anyone has any advice or recommendations please share. For now I want to sure some of the information I’ve found out about them for anyone wanting to make the switch:

Charcoal Bamboo Toothbrush - $4.50 from Biome

† Be careful of believing that these brushes are 100% biodegradable. Many use synthetic bristles (such as nylon), which is not biodegradable. These must be removed and disposed of before composting/burying the handle.

† Synthetic bristles can contain BPA or other harmful chemicals (same as in plastic brushes) so keep that in mind. Some brands advertise they are BPA free.

† As far as I’m aware no brand has found a solution for a safe to use bristle that is 100% biodegradable outside using animal hair bristles (not really a solution for any vegans out there and doesn’t sound too appealing to me either)

Bamboo Toothbrush (Pack of 12) - $38 from The Environmental Toothbrush

† Look into where the bamboo is sourced so you can make the informed decision. Some use plantation bamboo which may involve land clearing which is not a sustainable practice.

† MOSO bamboo is FSC certified and seems to be the most recommended brand for sustainable bamboo products (the pandas will thank you).

Bamboo Toothbrush - $6.95 from Bondi to Byron

† Most recommend that you change toothbrush every month, though they do last much longer than that and are still safe to use.

† Price range seems to be on par with advertised or branded toothbrushes. You can also generally buy in bulk so you will have a year or more supply.

Thats about all I’ve found out so far, if there is anything people feel I should add let me know~

Polyvore Whore

Hello Deerlings,

I have recently jumped on the Polyvore bandwagon. I don't know why I haven't earlier! It is so much fun, I'm pretty addicted right now. It's so great for styling and creating coordinates. At the moment I've been sharing the outfits to Tumblr as coordinates of some of the products I post. I'm trying to stick to products that are relatively affordable (affordability is subjective mind you). At least on the individual item level they should be affordable. I try to keep this in mind particularly for the outfits I share on Tumblr, so people can recreate these outfits if they wish.

There are...some things there that are super duper expensive that I couldn't resist though.

I think it will also be great for creating outfits for characters if you are an artist. I'd love to be able to completely plan and have total freedom to dress my characters in whatever I want, no matter the expense haha. However I haven't done much drawing in a long time so that idea will have to be saved for future projects.

Overall though I just want to have fun with it.
Follow my Polyvore HERE if you are interested.

I'm just going to post my first 5, I've only done 9, and I will maybe do another post once I have reached 10. So here we go~

Black Kitty - This was my very first set on Polyvore. I didn't know what I was doing. It isn't terrible but it is definitely my least favourite. I kept it simple, a nu grunge style as that is generally the look I go for personally.

Uh Excuse Me? - Another nu grunge style. This was only my second outfit and I quite genuinely love this one. Possibly my favourite out of them all. Those UNIF boots are also on my wish list when I have some cash to spare. It's a shame that shirt was sold out otherwise I probably would have bought it. Who doesn't love Daria?

Sweet Space Candy - This was my first experiment with colour. Going for a pastel/kawaii grunge with a space and sweets theme. I think this look would be super adorable. Pastel pink and white, you can't go wrong.

Moon Bathing - A minimal nu goth swimming set. I adore this bikini from Disturbia and the towel matches so well. I added a cat skeleton candle so all the moon children can swim under the by candle light.

Halloweenie - In the spirit of October/Halloween I decided to make a creepy cute/pastel goth outfit. I love Hello Cavities. I feel like their sweaters are a must have for anyone into pastel goth or creepy cute styles. So much fun to style!

I'm also trying to avoid using items that are knock offs from small businesses, posting from stores that I know are unethical in their business practices, products that use stolen art or things like real fur because of fur farms. That sort of stuff. I also try to link pictures straight from the website or only use pictures that are sourced correctly. If you follow me on Tumblr and now Polyvore and you notice I am posting from a dodgy online store, or you think I shouldn't be advertising a product, please let me know and let me know the reasons so I can fix it. I try to keep up to date on these things but I don't always catch it.

That's all for now.
Thanks for reading ♥

Fuzzy Wuzzies

Hello deerlings!

Today I am bringing you a review sponsored by Kerenika on etsy. home to all things fuzzy! Kerenika sells cute handmade cigarette cases, lighter covers, flask covers, iPhone cases, chokers and more. If you like pastel goth, kawaii and 90's grunge this shop is a must see.

Use the code CULTFAWN for 15% off at Kerenika, this code is valid until September 15th 2015 ♥

My Order:

✿ The BIG 90's Fur Scrunchy

Shipping:

My little parcel took a little over 2 weeks to arrive to me. It was wrapped up nicely in its packaging that was sturdy and secure. No harm came to my fuzzy in transit so it was in perfect condition when I opened it.

The Item:

The BIG fur scrunchie, is well named as it is exactly that. Big and furry. It is a lovely light shade of purple/lilac. It is soft, faux fur, with an elastic stretch. It is sturdy, it's seams are well hidden (if there are any...I can't find them they are hidden so well haha). It reminds me of a big fluffy donut when you look at it from a top view, though it is relatively flat.

Wearing it, it has not stretched or lost elasticity. I have quite fine hair ad it wraps around my hair twice when making a bun or pony tail. It holds it very securely. A bun feels most secure, the pony tail does occasionally need to be tightened. I like how it looks with my hair but I also think it would look incredible with thick hair too.

It can also be worn like a fluffy bracelet/cuff which is quite cute.

Overall:

Kerenika's products are all really cute. This scrunchy is well made which speaks for the quality of her products. The prices are quite reasonable for these handmade items and the shipping for me was a pretty good service. This scrunchy is super adorable while also being functional. It's a really great accessory that will help complete a range of looks.

I would like to thank Keren from Kerenika for giving me the opportunity to review her store ❤

Don't forget to use the code CULTFAWN for 15% off at Kerenika, it's only valid until the 15th of September so make use of it while you can

Arty Update

I've been a little bored at work lately so I've been trying to pass the time by doing some simple pixel animations. They don't take very long and look cute in different colours.

As for my absence, I have been quite busy this year with training and work and everything so I have taken a little breather. Slowly I am getting myself back into blogging once more and I hope to have more posts for you soon. Thanks for your support and patience sugar peas!

Here are the fruits of my boredom~

(Please do NOT copy, trace, re-post, edit, use etc unless you are given permission from me)

Sandy's Shop

Hello my lovelies!

Today I am bringing you another review from my sponsor Sandysshop!

Sandysshop is the go to place for tights and leggings. They also sell various styles of clothes. From simple to cute to spooky, all at reasonable prices, you are bound to find some thing you like ❤

You can use the code CULTFAWN for 10% off your order!

My order:

☽ Lace Bow Side Knee High Socks - $8

☽ Luna Cat Sailor Moon Tights - $9.90

☽ Harajuku Doll Joint Tights - $9.90

My order also contained a little piece of candy attached to the business card. Yummy!

Shipping:

The package was sent on the 17th of October and arrived after exactly 6 business days later on the 27th. That's super fast. It was sealed in a yellow paper envelop. The products were wrapped individually for protection and there was no damage in transit. Sandyshop's shipping service did not disappoint!

Lace Bow Side Knee High Socks - Super cute, light and stretchy. They are a light grey, with a cute heart pattern and sit nicely at my knees. They feel perfectly secure, nothing worse than knee highs with loose elastic. The lace can be folded down or sit over your knee. It is attached to the sock with good stitching that doesn't restrict the stretch of the sock itself. The bow is a similar lace with a loose shape and it is fastened to the sock. They are really comfortable. They are not as thick as they look which means I will still be able to wear them in the warmer weather.

Luna Cat Sailor Moon Tights - These are faux thigh high tights with kitty theme. Not just any kitty though, it's Luna from Sailor Moon! The top of the tights, the gusset, are sheer, then starting at the mid thigh they are black to give the look of wearing thigh highs rather than tights. Luna's face decorates the front of your thigh while there is a tail at the back. I am a Sailor Moon nut and if you are too you are going to love them too. However, I would not recommend them for someone who is taller than me. I am around 5'8 (173cm) and these tights are recommended for a height of 165cm max. I really wanted them regardless and thought it was worth risking it. They fit perfectly fine but I would not recommend them for anyone taller than me.

Harajuku Doll Joint Tights - I've seen a lot of images of people wearing ball jointed doll (bjd) tights floating around the internet and knew I wanted a pair. I was delighted to find Sandysshop was selling them. They are white tights, thick and sturdy material. The print makes your legs look like it has hinges at your joints and give the spooky look of doll limbs. The joints sit at your ankles, knees and right up to the top of your thigh. They do take a bit of adjusting to make sure the joints sit in the right places and the print doesn't look too stretched, only when you first put them on, so be prepared for that but it really is no fuss to do. They have a gusset with a set back and front side so you know which way they sit and they have a little extra stretch for your tush. They are comfortable and look wicked when you wear them, great to add a bit of spooky to your casual or to add some oomph to a costume. Again I would advise anyone taller than me to be wary of the size, these are also 165cm max.

Overall:

A really great order. I love every piece. They are comfortable, good quality and I know I will get lots of use out of them. Sandysshop is well organised, goods are presented with all the size information and they ship as quick as possible. Sandy always provides a great service. She is easy to talk to over email, she replies very quickly so you don't have to wait long to hear back from her. Don't hesitate to send her any queries you have about her products and her store.

A big thank you for reading and to Sandysshop for giving me another opportunity to review their awesome store!

You can use the code CULTFAWN for 10% off you order at Sandysshop

❤

Obey the Butt

Long time no see babydolls. I have been quite busy, finishing up with my animal studies course, being social and job hunting. Not to worry, my shopping didn't stop during my absence so I have a few reviews to give you. 

Odd tidbit: Its also been super cold lately, I bought these towards the end of winter for the warmer weather in spring. Even now in October (middle of spring) that weather hasn't really come except for the odd day. It was snowing just yesterday. Our house doesn't have heating so it has been really hard to get a chance to wear these and take photos without freezing my bum off. So thats another reason there was a big delay in this review. 

Hehe.

Let's start with stay-cute.com

Stay Cute, also known as Tokyo Hardcore, is a young, girl power, street brand. Selling cute tops, pants and accessories with sassy graphic prints. I've been hanging out for a pair of their shorts ever since I laid eyes on them and I splurged a little to buy myself something extra.

My order:

† High Waist Logo Hot Short - $10 (Normally $15)

† Cropped Mint Logo Hoodie - $48

I was also sent a bunch of stickers for free~

Shipping: $12

The order took about 5 days to be processed and shipped, a little longer than what I am used to but that's ok. The price of the shipping is pretty reasonable for Australia/America. (It often can cost an arm and a leg over here). It arrived to me in just under a fortnight. Wrapped up in a black envelope and the clothes were also protected in plastic. It came to me undamaged by transit. Over all I am pleased with the shipping service that was provided.

Item Quality:

The shorts - They are simple, black, high waisted, hot shorts. Made from a blend of cotton and spandex. There is the brands logo printed high across the bum. They are super comfortable, the small a perfect fit for me. I love the way they look on me and I can't wait for warmer weather to wear them more. Getting them for $10 was such a steal! Even at full price ($15) they are definitely worth it if you are looking.

The Hoodie - A lovely mint coloured crop hoodie. It sits above my belly button. The hood sits comfortably on my head (so long as I am not wearing my hair up). The material is a mix of cotton fleece and polyester. The zip is sturdy and seems like good quality. There us a logo printed on the right side at the front. The hood had a drawstring but it fell out after the first wash and I have not put it back in. I wouldn't have used the string much anyway. I love this hoodie, I wear it to the gym often, despite being half polyester I don't get sweaty when wearing it. At $48 its quality seems worth it. My only gripe is I wish the hood was bigger, I get annoyed with hoods that are small and always fall down. Love big hoods. This one isn't too bad though.

Over All:

I love my order. Stay-Cute came through with the goods, great quality, good shipping, reliable, adorable but badass style. I highly recommend taking a look at this store. There is a great range to choose from and they are often coming up with new designs.

That's all for now and remember to stay cute~

Quoth the Raven

Recently I received a wonderful package from my new sponsor Jane Nevermore.

Jane Nevermore is an alternative label based in the UK. With original prints and bright colours their products are versatile and eye catching!

† Shop HERE

Shipping:

Jane was pretty quick to ship my order out. It arrived to me in about 12 days from the UK to Australia. It arrived in the pink package above, sealed and safe. With no transit damage to the envelope or what was inside I'd say her shipping service was fantastic!

Items:

In my pack age there were three little treats just for me!

† Cone Studded Black Bracelet

† White Everyday Demons Crop

† Feelin' Blue Tie Dye Tee

First of all the black cone studded leather wrist band. The band is fastened by a notched buckle and its size is adjustable. The cone studs are black and screwed in to the leather. The leather is clean, thick and has neat edges. The buckle and studs are well fastened, every now and then though I check the screws just to be safe, I'd hate to lose a stud. That is just me being cautious though, this little baby is really well made. At first the band is stiff, but never fear, being leather with wear it will soften. I have worn mine almost non stop since I got it and it has already adjusted and sits comfortably on me.

I wish I could take full body shots because this everyday demon crop looks stellar with high waisted skirts and leggings. I love this print design so much, it was so hard to choose between the black and the white. Made from soft lycra, my only worry was that because it was white you might be able to see my bra through it. In this picture I was wearing a black bra and you can hardly see it, if at all! It sits comfortably under my bust, when I lift my arms it doesn't rise too high so I'm not flashing the world. Its fit is great, I went for a small size but Jane Nevermore offers to make custom fits as well as their standard sizing options. This one even has a little extra to fit for more boob :D

The feelin' blue tie dye tee is a super comfy, 100% cotton shirt. The explosion of purples and blues make you feel anything but down. It is a unisex tee and each design is hand dyed so no design is the same. A really great, versatile shirt, tie dye is never going to go out of fashion!

Overall:

I love each of these pieces and there are so many more unique designs from Jane Nevermore I would love to get my hands on! Everything is well priced for original designs and quality products. Jane is easy to talk to, very understanding and friendly. Her store is an amazing service and I would recommend it again and again!

Thanks so much to Jane Nevermore for the chance to write this review!