November 1, 2010

Did you know that November 1st is officially Cook for Your Pet Day? Yesterday, we humiliated them by dressing them up in costumes to amuse ourselves, so I guess it's only fitting that we cook for them today to apologize! I think I better get in touch with a pet treat manufacturer so I can get them some of their favorite treats and hope they don't hate us for dressing them up!

I've never cooked for my cats before, and don't really want to since they're meat-eaters and I'm vegan. I have done a lot of research into what my cats would really appreciate through looking into their nutrition needs (via upn reviews and videos), so I think I have a good idea of where to begin when it comes to giving them the right nutrients. I'm not going to try to veganize them since they're carnivores by nature, but I can't see myself cooking up a big ol' batch of meaty goodness for them. I love 'em, but I gotta draw the line somewhere. Whatever I decide to cook them, at least I will be able to ensure that they have a good portion by using a feeding calculator.

If you, however, are a more selfless person than me and have the urge to cook today for your furkids, here are some ideas for you:

• Foods to avoid when cooking for your animals

• Tasty dog food recipes from Linda West Eckhardt, coauthor of The Dog Ate It: Cooking for Yourself and Your Four-Legged Friend (via www.womansday.com)
  

• Dog food and treat recipes from www.thepoop.com

• How to cook for your dog from www.lovetoknow.com

• Catnip Cookie recipe from www.eHow

• Kitty Cuisine from 50 Simple Ways to Pamper Your Cat by Arden Moore (via www.care2.com)

On a very serious note, if you plan to cook for your cats beyond occasional treats, please do your research before considering feeding them a homemade diet. They have very specific nutritional needs, including a necessity for the amino acid taurine, and neglecting these nutrients can result in illness and even death. Vetinfo.com can get you started with the basics on essential feline nutrition, but talk with your vet and don't underestimate the importance of your kitty's needs! And the same thing also goes for dogs. You may want to test your dog for allergies before tweaking their diet, and info about the how and the why can be found on portals like Jack's Pets and the likes.

~BigSis

October 31, 2010

Instead of talking about ghosts and goblins or trick-or-treating today, we decided to do something a little more fun!

Let's be honest, doesn't it make you smile when you see a cute little doggie or kitty cat dressed in a costume? 🙂

Without any further delay, let's get this parade started!

Nicki's Katie looking precious in her Princess outfit!

Lisa's Roxy is adorable all dressed up as a Banana Split!

Kristen's Brady is a beautiful little devil! Where's Jerry, Tom??

Bru also calls Kristen Meowmy, and is another little devil!

Lauren's Beau is adorable in his Texas Rangers cap!

Beau again...now he's working the Tony the Tiger look!

BigSis' Ashy as a scary one-eyed pirate! Argghh!

Ashy in his Cowboy ensemble! Git along lil' doggie!

LilSis' lil devil, TomTom

He is a pretty lil Devil, isn't he?

BigSis' Gaby tries the pirate hat on for size! Love the dreadlocks, Gaby!

Gaby also models a stylish pumpkin scrunchy collar/necklace!

Gaby makes a very handsome cowboy, don't you think?

Gaby was apparently WAY over the cowboy look!

(Happy Halloween photo credit: Julicath Flickr Photostream)

~LilSis

October 30, 2010

Did Halloween sneak up on you? It did for me. I actually managed to buy two pumpkins a few days ago but they've yet to be carved. Every year we usually do some pretty elaborate carvings and have three or four nice jack-o-lanterns lit up on the front porch but I don't think that's going to happen this year.

If you don't have the time to carve your pumpkin the old fashioned way or just don't feel like making a monstrous mess, it's not too late! Here are a few quick and easy decorating ideas that I've come across.

To get the kids to join in on the fun, just give them some paints or markers, glue and glitter and let them be creative in making their own punkin' faces!

These little painted kitten pumpkins are adorable!

Or find some cute funny face stickers that they can just stick right on. These are actually printable stickers from Family Fun.

And who says that you have the cut the top off of your pumpkin to create the traditional lid? I like this idea to just cut out the bottom and carve the top, allowing the stem to be the nose.

Why not turn miniature pumpkins into cute little winged bats? All you need is black paint and craft foam.

Here's an idea from Martha Stewart on how to decorate your pumpkin Halloween faces with a variety of candies.

And it doesn't get much easier than this! Just freehand your snaggletoothed pumpkin face on with a pencil, then finalize the sketch with a black marker in less than five minutes.

Whatever your plans are for this year, we wish you safe and Happy Halloween!

~LilSis

October 27, 2010

I love my Pink Clarisonic Skin Cleansing System.  No, that's a lie.  Let me be completely honest.

I'm actually addicted to my Clarisonic and use it every single day.  Sometimes twice a day.

It helps me keep my persnickety skin clean and smooth.  It enables my serum and moisturizer to work better, since the skin is clear and able to absorb products easier.  I think of it as lessening the barrier of product build-up, dead skin cells and makeup.  Without that barrier, my products have an easier time of getting down into the skin to do what they're supposed to do.

There's only one thing wrong with my beloved Clarisonic.  It's not pink!  It's white!

Clarisonic Skin Cleansing System in Graphite Gray, Pink and White

I know, it's shocking that there is a pink product on this planet that I don't have.  I truly am the Queen of All Things Pink.

But I don't have a pink Clarisonic.  And I'm just the teeniest tiniest bit pouty about that.

Do I need a pink Clarisonic?  No, my white Clarisonic works perfectly.

Do I want a pink Clarisonic?  Uh, YEAH, of course I do!

Now, October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and you don't have to wish and pine for a pink Clarisonic like I am.  You can get your very own Pink Clarisonic Skin Cleansing System and donate to breast cancer research at the same time.  Plus you can get it with free shipping!  AND you can add free engraving to your Clarisonic to make it absolutely your own.  Add your name, a nickname, or a fun or motivational phrase.

How would I engrave my pink Clarisonic?  “Queen of All Things Pink”, of course!  😀

~BigSis

October 23, 2010

I'm known for wearing some unusual colors on my toes but I haven't worn color on my fingernails in years. I usually just keep a clear coat on or maybe a pale, pale pink or an occasional french manicure for a special occasion.

We mentioned the launch of the MAC Venomous Villians Collection last month and luckily both of us got our orders in the day the collection was available online. If you wanted any of the awesome products in this collection you had to act fast because there were items already sold out on the very first day.

MAC Venomous Villians Mean & Green Nail Lacquer

For some reason, I could not resist this Mean Green Nail Lacquer. The photos just don't do justice to this color. This duochrome polish has a green base filled with a shimmer that flashes rose, gold, copper and pink depending on how the light hits it.  The base color adds a greenish glow at the edges.

I definitely stepped outside my comfort zone when I put this color on my fingers, but I'm so glad that I did. 🙂

This one was taken outside in the sun so it really shows the sparkles!

(Thanks to my budding photographer, HayHay for helping with this photo shoot.)

~LilSis

October 22, 2010

It seems like my weekend shopping trips are lots more challenging these days since I can't just breeze through Target and mindlessly grab my usual products.  Making a commitment to purge animal-tested products from my life has been a real project, but I'm committed to it, as LilSis is also.

I've had a longtime love affair with my Swiffer WetJet since the day I laid eyes on it, but alas, Swiffer is a Procter & Gamble company.  Procter & Gamble does animal testing, so Swiffer is out of my house, which made me sad at first.  I envisioned returning to a drippy string mop or sponge mop with a big steaming sloshing bucket full of Pine Sol.  Gah!

Thankfully, there are other alternatives, and I found a nifty one. I bought a Rubbermaid Reveal Microfiber Spray Mop during my last trip to Target.  How much do I love it?  Let me count the ways:

• As far as I can see, Rubbermaid doesn't do any animal testing.  If I'm wrong, someone please correct me!

• There are no expensive disposable pads to buy.  The Reveal Mop comes with a microfiber pad that is washable!  Brilliant!  You can buy replacement pads if you ever need to.

• You can use any cleaning solution you wish!  Brilliant again!  Not only are you free of the pricey Swiffer solution, but you can use a completely environmentally-friendly, green solution!  Use plain water, or water with white vinegar, or buy a natural cleanser from Method, Mrs. Meyers, or Caldrea.  You choose.

• Another cool thing?  You can buy extra refillable spray bottles so you can switch out your solutions for different surfaces: tile, wood, vinyl, or laminate.

• No batteries required!

Even though I imagined the worst (stringy ol' yarn mop), what I ended up with is better in many ways than my old Swiffer!

Before you even think about mopping though, you need freshly-swept floors right?  This is the perfect time to introduce you to my new electric broom; the Electrolux ErgoRapido Bagless Cordless Handheld/Stick Vacuum Cleaner.

My last electric broom lasted for probably 10 years, but it finally got weary of sucking up all that cat litter and hair, and it just passed away.  After a ton of research, I decided on the ErgoRapido and I'm so thrilled with it:

• It works well and has good suction.  It will occasionally take two passes to pick up some of the fine bits of clumping cat litter, but I think that material is a real challenge for any sweeper.

• It's lightweight, cordless and rechargeable.

• There are no bags, and the canister is easy to empty.

• It's a stick vacuum cleaner AND a handheld vacuum all in one.

• It looks really cool!

So with both of these tools in my cleaning closet, there's no excuse for a dirty floor, right?  Now, all I have to do is teach my furkids to sweep and mop while I'm at work, and we're all set!

~BigSis

October 20, 2010

I don't think we've mentioned lately how much our kitties love wearing hats!  🙂

If you don't believe us, just look at these happy faces from previous Halloweens when all three of them posed in their favorite witch hat!

TomTom looking very sly in his witch hat.

Ashy trying to look like he isn't enjoying his witch hat.

Gaby looking very dark and mysterious in his witch hat.

See. Don't they look like they're having fun?

(We're both animal lovers so we want to assure you that there is never any cruel treatment to our little furkids to get these photos.  Please don't call the authorities on us.)

Since we no longer host costume parties or have little kiddos to dress up, we sisters just get a kick out of showing off our little furkids in their Halloween costumes, their Christmas outfits, and their New Years Eve hats.  We actually don't need much of an occasion in order to torment them with photo shoots.

No, we aren't crazy cat ladies (yet)!  I know we aren't the only ones who like dressing up our pets. I was in Petco today and couldn't believe all the cute outfits for little doggies!

Does your pet have his/her Halloween costume yet? If so, we would LOVE to see them!

Just for the pure fun of it, we thought we would have a little Parade of Pet Costumes here on BigSisLilSis for Halloween. And this parade isn't limited to just kitties; it's open to all pets: dogs, bunnies, guinea pigs, birds, reptiles…you name it.  We want to see it!  Cats in Hats, Masquerading Mutts, Doggies in Dresses, Incognito Iguanas…you get the idea!

If you want to join in on the fun, just snap a photo of your pet in their hat or costume and email it to either BigSis (BigSis at BigSisLilSis dot com) or LilSis (LilSis at BigSisLilSis dot com) by Thursday, October 28th and don't forget to mention your pet's name.

We'll post the parade here on Halloween, Sunday, October 31st!  🙂

~LilSis

October 18, 2010

Remember when President George H.W. Bush mentioned a “kinder and gentler” nation?  BigSisLilSis just celebrated our 2nd blogiversary, and those words “kinder and gentler” just seem appropriate as we think about year 3.

The last two years have seen us publish 607 posts, and we hope to continue at that pace.  We absolutely plan to keep posting with a positive attitude and message, and to keep talking about food, health, fitness, fun and anything else that interests those of us girls who are 40-plus.

What has changed in our worlds since we started BigSisLilSis in 2008?

• We're both focusing on things we can do around our homes to “Go Green”

• We both made a commitment to purge our homes of all products that are animal-tested

• After 16 years as a vegetarian, I went the rest of the way to vegan in January

• LilSis is having to learn how to eat a non-dairy diet

• Recycling has finally become a priority in my household

The result of these changes is a kinder, gentler, greener BigSisLilSis.   We feel like we're finding our voice; figuring out who we are and what is most meaningful for us to talk about.

What does that mean to our readers?

• We'll continue to share reviews of our favorite products, but we won't be reviewing anything that we know to be animal-tested

• Since we both go berserk when we find new beauty products that actually show results, we'll keep sharing our new discoveries

• You'll see BigSis' recipes here from time to time without animal products (you may have already noticed a few)

• LilSis will continue to bring you healthy recipes suitable for a family of hungry guys, but also try to adapt some to non-dairy recipes

• We're both extremely committed to exercise in order to stay healthy and fight the “mid-life, menopausal, almost inevitable, battle of the bulge”.  If we discover anything works for us 40-plus women, you can bet we'll share it!

• We talk about it all the time, but it's true that LIFE IS SHORT.  Too short to be negative!  As we discover motivational tools or reading that helps us stay positive and encouraging, we'll tell you about it asap!

• Our overall goal is to bring you information that will enhance your lives in a brighter, healthier, greener, more compassionate way.

Living this way is a daily learning experience for us, and we hope you'll give us your input along the way.  Thanks for joining us!

Photo credit: Ecstaticist

~BigSis

October 16, 2010

We don't talk much about sports here on BigSisLilSis, but there is no way that I can let this historic moment pass without mentioning it.

LilSis and I moved to Arlington in the late 60s with the whole fam damily, so we grew up there.  Texas and Arlington are home base to us, even though I'm in Big D and LilSis is in California now.

Now, after 39 years, our Texas Rangers have won their first playoff series, AND their first playoff game at home!  It's finally happened!  Yes yes yes!  And this week, we're competing in the 2010 ALCS playoffs against the New York Yankees.

We know that the Rangers have had some tough years and haven't always had a superior team, but this year they do and we're thrilled and proud about that.  They play as a team without a bunch of diva drama, and it has taken them far…this far!

Not everyone is so happy about the Rangers' visit to Playoff Land though.  Filip Bondy of the New York Daily News is a little less than joyous about it.  Check out this gem from Mr. Bondy:

~BigSis

October 14, 2010

I'm in LOVE with these note cards!

The I Believe in Pink design, created by stationery and graphic design studio Southern Fried Paper, was inspired by Audrey Hepburn's quote stating her love of pink and all things feminine.

20% of the retail price for all “I Believe in Pink” cards, boxed sets, and prints sold online and in participating stores during the month of October will benefit the Dallas Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

The cards are $3.25 if purchased individually, but the boxed set of 12 cards and envelopes retails for $17.95; making each card just under $1.50 each. That's a great price for such an adorable, high quality, note card!  I love this quote so much, I think I'll frame one to hang in my office.

It's a nice little reminder to laugh, kiss, and be HAPPY! 🙂

~LilSis