Out in the Sun: Safe Sunscreen

Something that cannot be denied: surfer girls get a lot of sun. But there's good protection from the harmful rays and you might be surprised by what's in most sunscreen products (you don't really want to know, but you really should pay attention). I posted about safe sunscreens on my other blog: Sideshow By the Seashore. Lather up.--Stef McDonald

Seven Ply Skateboard Design

I heart Etsy in a big way and can pass hours clicking around the site. With the holidays looming, I got a little lost today, adding a lot of fun items to my cart for some loved ones on my list. Search the site for "recycled" or "repurposed" or "upcycled" to find artists and other crafty types who sell items that might otherwise end up in landfills. (Also try searching the stellar vintage section.) Seven Ply is a seller who offers jewelry and other trinkets made from discarded skate decks (above, earrings).--Stef McDonald

Wow: Whale Photography

Via HuffPost, a gorgeous gallery of whale photos from Bryant Austin. The photographer is known for taking spectacular photos of endangered species, bringing awareness to their plight with the Marine Mammal Conservation Through The Arts. (Poster pictured above comes from the mmcta.org site, where you can find out more and donate to the cause.)--Stef McDonald

Always a Good Time: Volunteering

TV networks are promoting volunteerism on numerous series this week, so there's a good chance you'll see a favorite character in the act of lending a hand while you're reclining on your couch (not that there's anything with a little downtime on the couch in front of the tube...). Each of us has worked with Surfrider and Heal the Bay for beach clean-ups and other efforts to keep our beaches safe and clean and we can attest to the fact that doing something feels good. If you're looking for a place to pitch in, environmental organizations are a good place to start and we've also got a list of other do-good organizations on our site.--Stef McDonald

Breast Cancer Awareness: Beauty-Buying Tips

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month and you're sure to see the pink ribbon on many products. Maybe you'll think, Oh, great, I'll buy that and help support the fight against breast cancer. The pictured pink gloss from Jane Iredale would be a good grab because it does not contain carcinogens like so many other beauty products (yes, a lot of beauty products really do contain chemicals linked to cancer -- but it's easy for you to educate yourself with help from the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics). I'll get off my soap-box after saying this: you should think twice about what you buy and choose not to get products that can harm you and/or the environment. Still have your attention? I've posted more on the issue at my other blog, Sideshow by the Seashore.--Stef McDonald

Surfrider: 25 Years of Kicking Butt

The Surfrider Foundation is celebrating its 25th anniversary with an event in Los Angeles on Friday, October 9 that features an auction of ocean- and surf-inspired art. Get details on the Anniversary Gala on their website.

Give a Hoot: Coastal Cleanup Day '09

Saturday was Heal the Bay's Coastal Cleanup Day. Records were set for participation (more than 14,000 registered volunteers) and production (more than 300,000 pounds of trash), with organized trash collection efforts taking place in 60 countries, 60 of them in Los Angeles. The photo above was taken near my home, where I was heartened to see lots parents with their kids at work. Of course, if people would only pick up after themselves, the trash take would be lower and there would be no real need for such volunteer efforts. If only... a girl can dream, right?--Stef McDonald

Below, some classic public service commercials on the subject.

Shame on Sigg (Bottles)

There are a lot of toxins around us and we try to take steps to be clean and green. Going green for us means being kind to Planet Earth and also protecting ourselves and embracing all that is natural (really natural). Most know that plastic bottles are wasteful and the popularity of re-usable metal bottles, like the ones from Sigg, have become popular. I have used their bottles and also given them as gifts to friends, so I was particularly disturbed to read the news that suggests the company misled consumers about the safety of the bottles. It's bad that the bottles tested positive for nasty chemicals but worse that the company appears to have hid that info from consumers. There's no other word for it: it's shameful. Ad Age has even more on the story.--Stef McDonald

Surfrider Beneft in Malibu

Efforts to try to keep our beaches and oceans safe and clean are always worth celebrating and the Surfrider Foundation's been at it for years. Party on: The West LA/Malibu chapter is having a 25th anniversary celebration at Duke's Malibu (Moana Room) on Tuesday, August 25, from 7 to 10 PM, with music, food and drinks, and more.

Coastal Cleanup Day

Coastal Cleanup Day is coming on Saturday, September 19 from 9 A.M. to noon. Join Heal the Bay to keep our beaches clean and help protect us surfer girls from polluted lakes, streams, and oceans. For an informational flier including the various locations click here. See you there! --Rebecca Heller

Greener Surf Gear

Planet Green has a good piece on eco-friendly surf gear. I would like to have a surf board custom-shaped for me using less toxic ingredients one day and I covet the Patagonia wetsuit made with recycled materials (and no petroleum-based ones). For now, I'll start with the better-for-the-sea surf wax from Green Surf. We've also got some tips on going green on the Surf Like A Girl website.--Stef McDonald

Give a Hoot, Don't Pollute: Blob Attacks?

Via Boing Boing, here is a post about a mysterious blob on Alaska's coastline that is harming wildlife. It's not clear what it is, but it's an obvious reminder that we've got to properly dispose of our waste and reduce our dependency on toxins. --Stef McDonald

Beer and Burgers for Beaches: Heal the Bay Benefit

For its "Last Tuesday" benefit, the Library Ale House in Santa Monica is donating 15 percent of sales on July 28 to Heal the Bay, which works to keep our ocean and beaches clean and safe. Even better: they're participating in a beach clean-up that day, from 5-7 PM.

Soaking Up the Sun More Safely

Here comes the sun? Feels good... but you really should beware. Sorry to harsh your mellow, but you've really got to protect yourself from the sun's damaging rays. (If you know me, you've already heard this lecture...) I turn to the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics and the Environmental Working Group's "Skin Deep" database for finding out what products I should use (and which ones I should avoid). It's not as simple as choosing an SPF of 15, 30, or 45; you've got to find out what the stuff is made of and I'm betting you'll be surprised (and possibly horrified) to find that most commercial brands of sunscreen contain chemicals linked to cancer and other health issues. I recently posted more on the subject on my other blog and you can find out more directly from the Skin Deep site. --Stef McDonald

Splurge: Lather Up

My new favorite soap comes from Soaptopia, a shop in Mar Vista (they also sell their products online and in select stores). How perfect is this one for a post-surf shower? Ocean's 12 contains seaweed, palm oil, coconut oil, shea butter, and lemongrass essential oil, among the all-natural ingredients. Very refreshing. --Stef McDonald