Happy Holidays and New Year!

Just a heads up to let you know we're taking a little time off at the store.

I want to wish you all happy holidays and thank you for reading my musings. I hope to see you again in 2010.

A Greener Shave

Shaving is an everyday routine for many men and an often overlooked place when it comes to caring for the environment. Try the following tips to clean up your act while still enjoying your morning ritual.

Williams shaving soap by scottfeldstein

Choose shaving soaps or creams made with natural ingredients and no harmful chemicals

Some traditional cosmetics use harsh chemical agents to soften (or break down) the skin, and give the impression of nourishment. Skew these in favor of simpler products, made with natural ingredients. Also beware of antibacterial agents, these are non-biodegradable and harmful for you and wildlife.

Greener Choices: Pacific Oil Company All-natural Shaving Oil, Edwin Jagger 99.9% Natural Aloe Vera Shaving Soap, eShave 100% Natural Avocado Oil and Linden Shaving Soap.

Manage the Packaging Equation

When choosing your shaving cosmetics, one option is to go for bigger packages. They mean more product per container, so less container wastage. Some products will also list how many uses you can expect from each package, so use this information to make an informed choice. In the case of shaving oils, a tiny container goes a long way, so this is an even better option. Check if the container can be recycled. Shy away from pressurized foam cans; they hold little product and are often non-recyclable. Try a hard shaving soap; they require little packaging and last a long time.

Greener Choices: J.M. Fraser Classic Shaving Cream (16 oz), Taylor of Old Bond Street Chamomile Shaving Oil, Cyril R Salter Classic Shaving Soap.

Alien Shave by Andrew Mason

Switch to a Greener Razor

Disposable razors and blade cartridges are wasteful, non-recyclable and made with petro-chemical compounds. They pile up in landfills and leach chemical agents into the soil. The kindest option in shavers is a straight razor, as its blade can be resharpened instead of disposed of. A double-edge safety razor is also a good choice as their blades produce less waste. Be sure to dispose of used blades safely. You can get tips on how to do this from your local waste management authority.

Keep your Razor Dry

Allowing the razor blades to dry between uses will make them last longer. A razor stand will allow your razor to dry naturally while keeping things tidy around your sink.

SOD - October 2, 2008 by apswartz

Watch your water consumption

Turn off the tap when not in use. Instead of running the tap, fill your sink or a container with warm water. Use this to dip your shaving brush or clean your razor.

A Well-Appointed Can of Tea

To drink a can of Royal Milk Tea sounds like a disgusting idea. But kudos on the packaging, this is one distinguished-looking beverage.

Via The Dieline.

Howling Monkey Beer

Cool chubby bottles and awesome box. I understand Howling Monkey is not being manufactured anymore, though.

Via bad banana blog.

A Movie with Clout

This might be the odd chance when I recommend a movie on this blog. "In the Loop" opened in theaters here not long ago. But although I wanted to go and see it then, it proved tough. The showings were very limited and it was gone it a heartbeat. It is now available for rent, purchase or download.

This is a hilarious, and rather blunt, political satire. Expect lots of imaginative epithets from beginning to end and an amusing plot that imitates life all too well. There's really no lovable, cuddly characters, not unlike politics, I guess. All in all, a movie that is smart but also easy to enjoy.