Cruelty-Free Comforts: Sustainable Beauty and Home Essentials for a Cozy Thanksgiving
- Mrs. Ladybug
- Nov 11
- 5 min read
We're in the strangest month of the year. November is a mix of delayed Halloween, fall with Thanksgiving, and Christmas with winter decor. Kind of like a fruitcake; a mix-match of several things.
As we continue to enjoy what's left of the warm-tone season and its cozy atmosphere, let's also focus on details that will enhance the spirit of the Thanksgiving holiday. Quality time with loved ones, expressions of gratitude, and acts of kindness.
How are you going to practice kindness this Thanksgiving, other than saying kind words to your family at the dinner table? For instance, you can use cruelty-free products when getting ready for Thanksgiving Day, donate to your local animal shelter, give turkeys protection and compassion, and choose second-hand shopping on Black Friday. Do some of these suggestions sound strange and out of the norm? Worry not! I'm going to guide you with a few of my favorite recommendations.
Firstly, let's touch on our beauty routine for Thanksgiving. We want to look and smell good, so for make-up and fragrance we're going straight to Rare Beauty by Selena Gomez. This brand is not only Cruelty Free, Vegan, and donates 15% of their annual earnings to support Mental Health, but its products have incredible pigment. I've been using their Stay Vulnerable Melting Blush (shade: nearly mauve) for over a year now, and as much as I love it, I'm also excited to try their Soft Pinch Luminous Powder Blush. When I swiped my finger on the powder blush sampler at Sephora 2 weeks ago, I swear, it looked like blush and highlighter in one. This blush will no doubt give your cheeks the perfect glow for Thanksgiving.
Also, during my recent visit at my local Sephora, I tried the Rare Beauty Fragrance- Rare. I didn't buy it right there and then because I just wanted to try it and move on. However, I kept smelling it on my wrist throughout the day. I can honestly say it lasted about 8 hours and then some. I kept catching small whiffs of it hoping it wouldn't fade. I was in love. It started off sweet, and as the hours passed, it became warmer and slightly spicier, and then floral. A perfume that changes with the hours? The very next weekend, I returned to Sephora and walked out with my new favorite fragrance. Because of its warm aromas, I would highly recommend this perfume for the autumn season and for Thanksgiving dinner.
Now, let's finish your fabulous look with seasonal nail colors. During the spring and summer months, I find myself styling clear or neutral pastel colors on my nails. But with autumn and winter, I'm reaching for darker tones. Ella+Mila have a fall set called the Autumn Leaves, which includes 6 nail colors. Ella+Mila is a nailcare brand that is cruelty free, vegan, and non-toxic. Apart from nail colors, they also have nailcare treatments to help strengthen and heal your nails from years of using toxic nailcare products. Personally, I use their First Aid Kiss Nail Hardener regularly since my nails are paper thin. For Thanksgiving Day, you will likely catch me styling Wicked Red from their Autumn Leaves collection.
Still looking for an outfit? Give Amazon Fashion a break and try Poshmark or ThredUp. You may or may not know that I have a Poshmark closet where you can shop my gently worn or never worn clothes at super discounted prices. But you can find great prices for brand-name items all throughout Poshmark and ThredUp. The difference between the 2 platforms is that Poshmark is a transaction between you and the seller, where ThredUp is between you and ThredUp without the seller being involved. If you are hesitant about shopping second-hand but want to give it a try, then I would recommend ThredUp. I promise you will find something gorgeous. But if you are shopping for decorative pieces for your dinner table, go to Poshmark and search for a cute cornucopia basket and a festive Thanksgiving table runner. You and your home are going to look perfectly festive without breaking the bank.
It is a wonderful and blessed feeling to have a warm home and a nourishing dinner during the holidays, but how often do we remember those that don't have a home or a guaranteed meal? This is a time for giving, meaning it's the best time to donate to your local Community Kitchen and Animal Shelter. You can donate money, food, clean blankets, and your time through volunteering. Do you know that some animal shelters euthanize shelter pets that have enclosures that are exposed to the elements when temperatures drop dangerously low? So, I dare say, that even fostering a shelter pet during this season will be lifesaving.
Furthermore, if we want to save a life, specifically for Thanksgiving, consider saving the life of the Thanksgiving mascot. Turkeys are unfortunately the highlight of the Thanksgiving Day meal. Millions of Turkeys are kept in horrid conditions throughout their lives, mistreated, and then slaughtered by the masses. The first time I (secretly) skipped on Turkey during Thanksgiving was in 2017, which is the year I started changing my diet to remove meats. I had been introduced to social media and discovered how cruel the meat industry is. When I saw the Turkey on the table, all I could think of is how sad that poor creature's life was before it ended up in a freezer. In the season of giving, can't we give a Turkey a second chance at life? Now you can by Adopting a Turkey. The Farm Sanctuary allows you to adopt a turkey through their online portal. Of course, this doesn't mean you're bringing home a Turkey. It means that you are helping the sanctuary care for the Turkey of your choice. You can adopt 1 Turkey for $35 or a flock for $135. All donors will receive a certificate for the turkey(s) they adopt, along with a photo and a short video. With that said, dare to break the norm. Instead of posting a picture of your stuffed Turkey, show a picture of your adopted Turkey.
So, now that we are removing the Turkey from the dinner menu, what shall we replace it with? Firstly, with all the delicious dishes that are also placed on a Thanksgiving table, you can get quite stuffed with just all the sides. Mashed potatoes, corn bread, salads, breads, green bean casserole, honey glazed carrots, sauteed veggies, butternut squash soup, gravy and cranberry sauce, fruitcake, pumpkin pie, apple pie, and I'm sure there is much more. But, what of the main course, the highlight of the table, the pièce de résistance? Here are a few delectable options for you to have during your Turkey-free Thanksgiving.
A Stuffed Roast Pumpkin: follow this recipe from Serious Eats to create an iconic Thanksgiving center piece.
A Mushroom Wellington: the New York Times vegetarian take on beef wellington.
Tufu Cutlets with Gravy: Plantifully Based has created a simple yet easy recipe for your main dish.
In conclusion, a Cruelty-Free Thanksgiving is absolutely possible when you have an open mind and a kind heart. With all these tips, how can you not have a wonderfully memorable Thanksgiving? Remember that the true meaning of the season is not Turkey, it is Gratitude and Kindness. Look at the word Thanksgiving: it means to give thanks [for all your blessings], and to be giving [to those less fortunate].
Wishing you and your loved ones a bountiful and blessed Thanksgiving Day!
XoXo, Mrs. Ladybug
Comments