Category Archives: Ethical

December 18, 2013 · 10:49 pm

My New Vaute Couture Coat

Let’s it snow, let it snow, let it snow!

I’m ready! Of course we don’t have snow at the moment, but Seattle had experienced a cold snap lately. I don’t mind though–I get to put my new Vaute Couture coat to the test.

Emily coat: Vaute Couture
Scarf: Fred Meyer’s
Jeans: Just USA
Pleather booties: Diba

I almost didn’t buy this 3/4 length coat because it’s “warm enough for a Chicago winter” and we don’t get weather like that around here often. I’m so glad I got it though. It’s cozy and toasty without being bulky. When the cold stays out, I don’t hunch over to stay warm. So I can walk with my head held high, no matter what the temperature.

I’ve been wearing it zipped half up, moto-style, but I can zip it all the way up to really keep my neck warm. I unzipped the hood already, but I’ll add it back to show you how cute (and toasty) it is.

I love the velvety soft fabric and bright blue color. I’ve tried a couple of different looks so far. I love my bright pink infinity scarf, but I also like the blue stripes. They both go with the other, shorter Vaute jacket I bought the day this arrived in the mail. I loved this so much that I had to get another one.

Best of all, this is wool-free, 100% vegan, and has a quilted, recycled fiber lining. Vaute is a design house based in Brooklyn. It’s great that all of Vaute’s clothing is made in New York, by people who are paid fair wages. I love supporting small businesses–especially ethical ones!

I preordered this in early September at a great price. Buying before the coats are made gives the company funds to make the line.

I am more than thrilled with my coat. It almost makes me appreciate winter.

I’ve joined Style Elixir, The Pleated Poppy, Elizabeth Nygard, and Transatlantic Blonde for blog link-ups today. See what everyone else is wearing!

12 Comments

Filed under Ethical, Fashion

Tagged as coat, ethical, fashion, jacket, style, Vaute Couture, Vaute Couture coat, vegan

December 1, 2013 · 5:13 pm

Velvet Biker Jacket

I love the look of a classic biker jacket–you know, like James Dean or Marlon Brando used to wear. I recently went to an exhibit at Experience Music Project about the rock ‘n’ roll aspect of this style of jacket. I was blown away at how versatile this iconic piece is. Everyone from Joan Jett to Michael Jackson has been seen in the “antihero’s anti-sportcoat.”

The motorcycle jacket can be hardcore punk or art piece. What started as protective gear and became associated with outlaws and rebellion is now a fashion statement.

I’ve sworn off leather, and I do have a few faux leather jackets, but I also like the idea of reworking a classic in new ways. So when I saw this velvet version I snapped it up.

Jacket: Forever 21
Tank top: Target
Sweater: Target
Jeans: Just USA
Shoes: Consignment

Black is the classic color, but I really liked the brown. Next up: hot pink! I’d like a biker jacket in a thick cotton knit or even denim! There are so many options. You can wear them with jeans or a dress and they’re always in style.

Do you have a biker jacket?

I’m joining Visible Monday and Monday Bloom today. Check out what everyone else is wearing!

16 Comments

Filed under Ethical, Fashion, Music

Tagged as biker jacket, fashion, jacket, motorcycle jacket, style, vegan, velvet

November 29, 2013 · 5:39 pm

Celebrating Thanksgiving at Plum Bistro

I blogged about my Thanksgiving feast on my vegan blog yesterday and I thought enjoying delicious food is something everyone loves, so I’m reposting my experience here.

For Thanksgiving this year, hubby treated me to a four-course meal at Plum Bistro, a vegan restaurant in Seattle. Most restaurants were closed today, but Plum had a special prix fixe menu. Hubby thought it would be nice to eat without cooking or cleaning up. He was right!

We started our meal with roasted heirloom carrots and Brussels sprouts with a maple and thyme glaze. I could have gone home happy at this point, but there was more.

Our appetizer was Plum’s famous smoky mac and yease. It was creamy and delicious–vegan comfort food at its finest.

For the main course, we dined on smoked seitan roast with gravy and cornbread stuffing. The stuffing, with cranberry reduction on the side was so satisfying I didn’t need dessert.

But when dessert came–a bourbon chocolate pecan pie–I didn’t hesitate to devour it. It was drizzled with caramel, covered with a dollop of smooth, dairy-free whipped cream, and garnished with pomegranate seeds and a pecan.

I have a lot to be thankful for, and this meal was no exception! I enjoyed a cruelty-free meal and I loved seeing everyone in the packed restaurant enjoying healthy, vegan food too.

I hope you had a great Thanksgiving. If you’re in Seattle, you’ve got to visit Plum!

7 Comments

Filed under Ethical, Events, General, Healthy Living

Tagged as dining, Plum Bistro, Seattle, Thanksgiving, vegan, vegan restaurant

November 20, 2013 · 11:05 pm

Timex as Accessory

You might notice that I don’t often wear a watch in my posts. I have occasionally, like I did with my khaki Timex. But I often figure that my phone has a clock, so why bother? Well, Timex reached out to me to see how I could add a watch to my outfits. When I like a style, I often pick several in different colors, and this watch was no exception.

It’s the same as my other Timex (with silver instead of bronze-tone metal). Now that I have two, I can swap bands and wear silver and khaki or black and bronze if I like. I also found straps in other colors on the Timex site. Now I can turn two faces into a bunch of watches! I chose this style the first time because of the large, simple face and because the band is non-leather.

Dress: Swapped (Tucker for Target)
Leggings: JC Penney
Jacket: Swapped
Scarf: DIY
Flats: H&M
Belt: Ross Dress for Less
Bag: Alchemy Goods
Watch: Timex Weekender

Even though I might not always need the time on my wrist, a watch is a great fashion statement. I think you’ll see watches appearing more often in my posts. Do you wear watches?

And to wear with my watch? My fall floral dress of course! A few of you recommended skinny jeans for this dress, and I’ve done just that. They’re actually denim leggings (I hate the word jeggings). They’re perfect under a long tunic or short dress. No zipper or pockets means no lumps or bumps. My dress lies smooth.

I’ve been using this recycled innertube bag a lot lately. It’s deep enough to fit my laptop and the normal things I carry with me.

dress and jeans

I’m joining The Pleated Poppy and Transatlantic Blonde for link-ups today. Check out what everyone else is wearing!

1 Comment

Filed under Ethical, Fashion, Product Reviews

Tagged as dress, fashion, leggings, style, thrifty fashion, Timex, upcycling, vegan, watch

October 22, 2013 · 10:56 pm

New Dress for a Special Occasion

When I was in New York, I met Lois Eastlund, a wonderful designer, at a pop-up shop. I bought two of her dresses. The first, a mint green scooter dress, I shared with you already, but I was saving the other one for a special occasion.

Dress: Lois Eastlund
Tights: Betsey Johnson
Pleather boots: Kelly & Katie (via DSW)
Cuff: Rogue City Killers
Bag: Alchemy Goods

I thought the recent vegan wine and cheese tasting I attended would be a great chance to debut the second dress.

I love the zigzag color-blocking (the back, which I neglected to capture, is a straight seam) and the colors of this dress. I’ll be able to wear it with plain tights, bare legs and heels, or with sandals.

It’s tights season so I went with a patterned pair. At the party, someone noted that the pattern on my tights is zigzagged too. I think it works, even though I wasn’t trying to be that coordinated.

Or maybe I was! I wore a recycled rubber cuff and I carried a recycled rubber purse.

I’ve joined Visible Monday at Not Dead Yet and I’m catching up with Passion for Fashion at Lena B. Actually. Check out what all the other bloggers are wearing!

14 Comments

Filed under Ethical, Fashion

September 15, 2013 · 9:05 pm

Casual Denim Dress

Hubby and I went out for brunch at the Blue Star Café in Wallingford. I love their hearty meals, and especially that they can veganize any of them. I had a tofu scramble with non-dairy “cheese” and toast and home fries. Delicious! And of course a mimosa is a brunch must-have.

I wore a denim dress that I picked up recently. It’s a simple shirtdress style that I can cinch with a belt. Today I chose a skinny white one but it would be fun with a wide belt or sash too. I’ll try this in the cooler weather with tights.

Dress: Old Navy
Pleather belt: Steve Madden
Faux suede boots: Novacas
Bag: Flea market in Harlem
Cuff: B.O.R.N Fashion
Sunglasses: Target

I love going sockless in the warm weather–sandals are a favorite–but I find boots take a summer dress into fall even before the weather is cool. It’s still relatively nice out but sandals are starting to seem less appropriate. Swapping in a bootie grounds the outfit and is a nice fall transition.

These booties proved to be invaluable on this occasion. After brunch, I got an invitation to meet up with friends. So hubby took my car and ran errands and I walked to the University District. I have to say, these boots are made for walking!

I’m also incorporating some of recent finds from my New York trip. The bag, from a flea market, is made of upcycled upholstery fabric. My cuff is from a great store on 125th called B.O.R.N (borrowed, old, refurbished, new). I’ll write about all the wonderful things I found at that store real soon!

I’ve joined Monday Bloom and Style Elixir for linkups – have a look at what everyone else is wearing!

4 Comments

Filed under Ethical, Fashion, Thrifty

Tagged as blue star café, denim, dress, fashion, novacas, Seattle, style, upcycling, vegan

September 12, 2013 · 9:01 pm

Mint Green Scooter Dress

I’m so happy with my new minty green mini dress. I love mod, 60s-inspired designs and fell in love with the Mondrian-esque color-blocking on this number.

Dress: Lois Eastlund
Shoes: Adrienne Vitadini
Bag: Forever 21

I was lucky to stumble into a pop-up shop when I spent the day in Chelsea last month and when I saw the dresses in the Lois Eastlund display, I had a hard time deciding.

So I picked two: this summer sale number and a blue and black shift from her fall line.

Even though this is a summery style, I plan on wearing it with a cardi and knee-high boots when the weather cools. For today though, I paired this shift with my polypropylene wedges–they’re stretchy like a Body Glove swimsuit!

Luckily Seattle is experiencing one last heat wave before fall hits so I can continue enjoying my summer clothes. Are you clinging to summer or have you switched into autumn wear?

Oh, I’m linking up with the Style Informant today. Check out what everyone else is wearing!

7 Comments

Filed under Ethical, Fashion

Tagged as dress, fashion, scooter dress, shift, stewardess dress, style, thrifty fashion, vegan, wedges

September 9, 2013 · 10:28 am

Visiting Chelsea

During the recent New York trip I took with my parents, we visited the Chelsea neighborhood. We spent the morning in the Chelsea Market, a multi-story building that used to be occupied by the National Biscuit Company (Nabisco) commercial bakery. When production methods changes required a single-floor layout, the bakery moved out. It’s here, where the Oreo was first created.

Inside the market, we found One Lucky Duck. They offer all-vegan, raw organic juices and take-away, and happen to have amazing desserts. It’s part of the Pure Food and Wine establishment so you know you’re going to be wowed.

Next door, Beyond Sushi truly satisfied. This all plant-based sushi establishment incorporated flavor, color and presentation like no other sushi place I’ve seen. Their rolls were scrumptious and fueled us as well.

I was thrilled to stumble into a pop-up shop in the market, where several vendors had set up their wares. One of them was designer Lois Eastlund.

While I was trying on a dress, my mom and Lois struck up a conversation and they discovered they’re both vegan! Lois even shared some of her home-baked vegan cookies with us! (And yes, I bought that amazing blue and black zigzag dress.)

I liked the shop across from Lois’ store too. My mom was sweet enough to buy me one of their screen-printed tops.

There’s more to Chelsea than just the market. One evening we met my friend Shannon, a recent New York transplant, at Blossom vegan restaurant.

We ate delicious food and even had authentic (and dairy-free) New York Cheesecake!

Another Chelsea gem is the popular High Line, an elevated former rail line that was transformed into a greenway. The rail line used to bring animals into the city for slaughter. I prefer its use as a park!

New York is such a fun place. Have you ever been to Chelsea?

6 Comments

Filed under Ethical, Fashion, Travel

Tagged as Beyond Sushi, Blossom, Chelsea, Chelsea Market, dress, fashion, Lois Eastlund, New York City, One Lucky duck, style, travel, vegan

August 16, 2013 · 7:00 pm

Gray Cropped Skinnies and Flats

Today called for comfort so I opted for this super soft t-shirt and gray skinnies. I bought these shorts for $5 at an outlet store. What a deal! I’ve worn them dozens of times, making this a great buy.

T-shirt: Goodwill
Pants: Suzy Shier Outlet
Leather-look belt: Truth Belts
Rubber Cuff: Rogue City Killers
Shoes: Compassionate Couture
Rubber purse: Alchemy Goods

I’m on track to wear these flats a lot too. I bought them at the vegan bloggers conference I went to in May and I’ve worn them a lot already. In fact, they’re coming with me to New York. They’re the perfect city walking shoe.

The shoes are from Compassionate Couture, an all-vegan, eco-friendly online shop (I had the pleasure of meeting the founders at the conference).

As luck would have it, Compassionate Couture is having a sample sale right now. So if you’re in the mood for a cute bag, belt or pair of shoes, now’s the time to shop!

I’ve joined Style Elixir today. Check out what everyone else is wearing today!

7 Comments

Filed under Ethical, Events, Fashion, Thrifty

Tagged as Compassionate Couture, jeans, thrifty fashion, Truth Belts, upcycling, vegan

August 5, 2013 · 12:37 am

My Travel Makeup Bag

I don’t wear a lot of makeup on a regular basis, but I do like (and need) a bit. Couple that with my need to pack light (I never take more than a carry-on suitcase), and you can see why picking the right products for a trip is paramount. Additionally, I only use product that are vegan and haven’t been tested on animals. Here’s what I’m taking on my upcoming trip.

My Arbonne day cream isn’t makeup per se, but it’s got SPF 20 and is an important way to start my make-up routine. I’m also bringing a tinted moisturizer with SPF. This Josie Maran is a great substitute for foundation and has SPF 30. It’s a great no makeup look. I find it really natural-looking and they have shades for almost anyone.

I’ll definitely need a concealer and this little tube (lower right) by Too Faced is perfect for under my eyes or to cover a blemish.

A light dusting of powder foundation is optional, but I like to be prepared. The Bare Minerals foundation also has SPF and is a nice way to mattify is sunscreen gets me shiny.

I usually buy single pots of eye shadow because it’s rare that I like all the shades in a set, but this Stila kit is an exception. It has five shadows that I can mix and match for day or night and a convertible lip and cheek cream. It includes a mirror and folds flat. They have several travels sets. I bought Vibrant in Vancouver.

I’m packing a dark brown eye liner by Jordana (proving you don’t have to buy from higher-end brands to get a good product). I buy Jordana because it’s inexpensive, goes on smoothly and gently, and is available in a myriad of colors. Plus, just about any drug store carries it.

I can’t live without my Stila liquid brow liner. The secret to a natural look is the right shade. I use blonde, and I make tiny brush strokes in the direction of my brows. It’s great to fill in and define. Well defined brows really frame the face and are youthful looking.

My BWC (Beauty Without Cruelty) mascara is also a must. If I had to narrow down my routine to three products it would be brows, lashes and lips.

I packed a bright red lip stain from Stila because it’s an easy way to go from day to night and the cheek cream in the kit is pretty neutral.

Finally, Booda Butter keeps my lips moisturized day and night. I have one in my purse at all times.

As for my other skin and body care, here’s what I’m taking.

If I were going to a hotel, I’d skip the shampoo and body wash, but I’ll need my own so I’m packing a solid shampoo from Lush (just lather like soap and apply to wet hair like you would a liquid shampoo). It’ll be nice to pack a solid because I won’t have to worry about it in my carry-on (or at security checks).

I’m taking 3 ounces or less of hand sanitizer, body wash, a small tube of sunscreen (when I went to Hawaii I packed four little tubes instead of one big one–to make my bag carry-on approved), night cream, a bit of hairspray in a carry-on spritzer, hand sanitizer and a face cloth. My Norwex face cloth removes makeup better than a makeup remover so it’s one less liquid I have to pack.

So there you have it. What are your travel makeup essentials? Are you a light packer like I am or to you prefer to be prepared?