Tag Archives: upcycling

July 2, 2013 · 10:07 pm

Comfy Ballet Flats

One of my recent shopping goals was finding a pair of comfortable shoes that I can take with me on my upcoming trip to New York. When I was at the vegan bloggers conference I happened upon the Compassionate Couture booth, where I found a cute pair of flats by Reneu.

Top: Swapped
Capris: Gap via Swapped
Shoes: Renue via Compassionate Couture
Bag: Victoria’s Secret
Cuff: Rogue City Killers

Compassionate Couture is an online retailer that curates a terrific selection of stylish, cruelty-free and eco-friendly clothing, shoes and accessories. It’s run by two sisters (whom I met at the booth) who left corporate America to help trendsetters stay true to their ethics without sacrificing style. That’s a company I can get behind!

I tried these shoes on and practically didn’t take them off. They are lined, if you will, with memory foam (the kind used in tempurpedic beds) so they are cushiony and soft. They’re going to be perfect for wandering around Manhattan!

Coincidentally, they also match my laptop bag. I don’t try to match shoes and purses (I usually try not to) but I liked how these two items went together.

The second eco item I’m wearing is the recycled inner tube cuff I recently bought to replace the upcycled leather one I’ve worn off and on for a few years. The other one was made of an old belt, so it was eco too, but I don’t want to wear any animal products anymore. The rubber looks leather-like and it’s vegan! I bought two and I might buy more. The stitching color makes each one look unique.

I’m linking up with What I wore Wednesday at The Pleated Poppy and Transatlantic Blonde. Check out what everyone else is wearing!

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Filed under Ethical, Fashion, Thrifty

Tagged as ballet flats, Compassionate Couture, style, thrifty fashion, upcycling, vegan

March 13, 2013 · 8:25 am

Dressing for the Show

Last Saturday I went to an eco-fashion themed fashion show. I wanted to dress the part: stylish yet eco-conscious. Here’s the outfit I put together.

Jacket: Forever 21
Top: Swapped
Pants: Zara
Belt: The Vegan Collection
Shoes: Christian Louboutin
Purse: Crystalyn Kae
Cuff (shown below): Greenbelts

At first glance, it might not seem specifically eco-friendly. It’s not vegetable-dyed bamboo, for example. But I have a few things in mind when I put this together. Here’s my thinking:

The jacket is cotton and faux leather. And while we could debate the sustainability of pleather made overseas, I’m giving myself points for choosing non-leather. By the same token, the jeans are glazed denim, a leather alternative, and so is the clutch. That one I can really get behind. It’s by a local designer, Crystalyn Kae, and is very eco-friendly.

The shoes are leather, but I bought them second hand. Points for recycling! My shirt is swapped, so again, I’ll count that as recycling. The leather cuff was once a belt–upcycled! And the belt is all-vegan and US-made.

Regardless of how good a score I got on the eco-front, I tried, and I had a lot of fun in this outfit. I felt a little like Joan Jett!

I’m linking up to What I Wore Wednesday at The Pleated Poppy and Transatlantic Blonde. Be sure to check out what everyone else is wearing!

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Filed under Ethical, Fashion, Thrifty

Tagged as fashion, faux leather, glazed denim, Louboutin, pleather, skinny jeans, style, thrifty fashion, upcycling, vegan

March 10, 2013 · 9:53 pm

Eco-Friendly Designer Fashion Show

Last night Mr. Jean of all Trades and I went to Neighbours Nightclub to see fellow Seattle blogger, Jessica of Jump Into Puddles, model in the eco-friendly edition of the Chance Fashion show.

Every month, Chance Fashions hosts a show that focuses on a theme. It could be anything from menswear to swimwear. Eco-friendly was this month’s theme.

First up was Genius Threads, a Florida-based line that reconstructs clothing and gives them new life. You can see the cute button-up skirts used to be men’s shirts. Genius for sure!

Did you notice Jessica in the upper left, strutting her stuff as she walks away? She did a great job modeling the clothes, even though my camera had a hard time capturing the action.

Next up was Epiphany Rose, a local designer with a theatrical and cosplay focus.

Lastly, Paper Dollz, another Seattle designer, showed us her upcycled thrift-store-turned-couture apparel. Jessica is in the lower-right frame below.

The show was a lot of fun and it was great to meet another blogger in real life. Thanks to Jessica for inviting me. I’d never heard of the monthly event and thanks to her, I now have another fashion venue on my list of things to do.

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Filed under Events, Fashion

Tagged as Chance Fashion, dress, eco-friendly, Epiphany Rose, fashion, fashion show, Genius Threads, Paper Dollz, style, thrifty fashion, upcycling

March 8, 2013 · 12:20 pm

Transparent Purse and a Mullet Skirt

I wore my DIY mullet skirt again, but in a new way: with booties and a cardi. Last time I had tall boots, but the outfit was just as bright. And don’t you love the see-through purse? It’s going to be great for spring when I don’t want to carry a dark, heavy-looking bag. I just have to be sure not to carry “embarrassing” items (or put unmentionables in a make-up bag and drop that in this purse).

Top: eShakti
Cardi: Smart Set
Skirt: Crossroads (altered by me)
Tights: Nordstrom
Booties: Novacas
Bag: Forever 21
Cuff: Greenbelts

I paired the skirt with my eShakti top. From now through March 25th, you can get $25 off your eShakti purchase by using the code JENFLLTRDE79. Nice!

And these are the Novacas booties I bought at The Chocolate Shoebox before they closed their brick and mortar store. I’ve worn them with pants, but not a skirt. I think they work both ways.

Versatility is important to me and I like to make sure I can mix and match and wear pieces a few different ways, It changes things up so I don’t get bored of the “same old thing” and it really extends my wardrobe.

Do you have certain pieces that you wear lots of different ways?

Red Jacket for National Wear Red Day

It’s National Wear Red Day® again. Last year, I wore a red dress, and today I’m representing in a red jacket. This day is meant to raise awareness about the #1 killer of women: Heart disease.

Jacket: Lulu’s
T-shirt: Target
Skirt: Swapped
Tights: Target
Boots: Lanvin via consignment
Clutch: Alchemy Goods

I wore this jacket at Vegan Thanksgiving, a strange coincidence–if you know me, you’ll know I like to promote a healthy, plant-based lifestyle. The American Heart Association, who sponsors National Wear Red Day®, urges women to control risk factors for heart disease. Many factors, like blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, and obesity can be eliminated with healthy food choices. The Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine has a lot of information about how to keep a healthy heart, including:

Eating a low-fat, vegetarian diet
Brisk walking for a half-hour per day or an hour three times per week
Not smoking
Managing stress

Back to the outfit! Did you check out the purse? It’s made of recycled bicycle inter tubes–vegan and green! I love supporting local, ethical, sustainable businesses, and Alchemy Goods fits that bill. They’re right here in Seattle. I bought mine at Click! Design That Fits in West Seattle.

And the shoes? No I didn’t blow a mortgage payment on them (although new, that’s what they’d cost). I found them on consignment at Ragamoffyn’s–for a fraction of the cost of what they’d be new. Not only did I save major bucks, but I don’t like to buy new leather. If it’s second-hand, I consider it recycling.

Are you wearing red today? What are your heart-healthy tips?

9 Comments

Filed under Ethical, Events, Fashion, Healthy Living, Thrifty

Tagged as alchemy goods, boots, fashion, Lanvin, national red dress day, skirt, style, thrifty fashion, upcycling, vegan

November 23, 2012 · 7:27 pm

Thanksgiving Feast Part One

I’m attending two exciting Thanksgiving dinners this year. The first was last night, on Thanksgiving. The second is tomorrow. Yesterday, I dressed in the colors of my meal: Cranberry jacket, pumpkin top, Field Roast necklace, chocolate pants, and whiskey shoes.

harvest colors

Jacket: Lulu’s
Tank: Target
Pants: Swapped
Necklace: Florida market
Shoes: Urban Outfitters

I brought a vegan pumpkin pie to the festivities. An easy recipe with a delicious outcome. When I got to the host’s place (my friend Lynn), I was astonished by the full bar–that’s the benefit of having a bartender for a friend. Lynn made drinks. I had a rye and ginger with my meal and a hot toddy with dessert.

Lynn's bar

Besides the pie I brought, we dined on spicy bean casserole, phyllo-wrapped field roast “turkey,” mashed potatoes, stuffing, and cranberry sauce. Lynn put the turkey adoption certificate from Farm Sanctuary on the table, where a turkey might otherwise be.

my meal and the turkey certificate

On the way out the door, after hours of great conversation, I noticed the unique switchplate cover. Wild Turkey. The theme continues.

Wild Turkey cover

Besides being a mother, bartender, birder, and clogger, Lynn is also a crafter and makes unique, booze-inspired creations from upcycled bar industry leftovers. From bottle cap soy candles to beer case journals, Lynn’s shop on Etsy is a great place for holiday gifts.

How was your Thanksgiving?

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Filed under Crafts, Decor, Ethical, Events, Fashion

Tagged as fashion, jacket, style, switchplate cover, thrifty fashion, upcycled gifts, upcycling, vegan pumpkin pie, vegan thanksgiving

May 14, 2012 · 10:34 am

Red Corduroy Kindle Case

Once upon a time there was a red corduroy blazer. Someone bought it, wore it (maybe), and gave it to Goodwill. I bought it at Goodwill, wore it (once), and cut it in half so I could make a Kindle case with it. I wore the half jacket once too (just for fun). Unfortunately it was in my pre-blogging days so there’s no photographic evidence. There is evidence of the Kindle case:

I posted the Kindle case on my Etsy shop recently (to replace another one I made out of a pant leg). Best of all, my friend, Lynn, took the remaining fabric (two sleeves) and made a wine tote out of one of them. Brilliant!

The red blazer has had quite a journey–and it looks like it’s just beginning!

DIY Cable Knit Pillow

Here I go again!

Last year I made a cream-colored cable knit pillow and over the summer I made an orange one. Both pillows sold on my Etsy shop so this past weekend I made another pillow.

This was once an Izod sweater that I found at Goodwill. I wore it for February’s “red and pink” challenge but I’d originally bought it with a pillow in mind.

pink sweater

I liked the cotton-candy color. I know pink draws a strong reaction from people. Give it a chance. It’s a fun shade.

Short Pants and a Make-up Bag

I have a secret: My “purse” is really a make-up bag. ~~Worse~~ Better yet, it was a free gift I got when I bought a bottle of perfume. It was filled with goodies like lip gloss and concealer. I got it when I met Diane von Furstenberg last fall.

Top: H&M
Shorts: Swapped
Tights: Roots Canada
Shoes: Old Navy
Clutch: Gift with purchase
Cuff: Greenbelts

The way I see it is that only people who also bought the perfume and got the bag will know my secret (well, now you know too). To everyone else, this is a simple clutch. A waterproof, zippered clutch.

Do you have any fashion secrets? Pyjama top as dress? Blanket as scarf? Something even more scandalous?

3 Comments

Filed under Fashion

Tagged as clutch, fashion, make-up bag, shorts, style, tights, upcycling

December 20, 2011 · 6:47 am

My Holiday Party Outfit

I had a blast at this year’s company holiday party. The theme was a mashup of Alice in Wonderland and masquerade ball. With all the options surrounding both ideas, I knew getting dressed for the party would be fun. I wrote about what I did at the party earlier.

I decided to wear my tiny hat, and I worked in the rest of the outfit around that. This outfit doesn’t scream festive, but the fancy details make it party-appropriate.

Cape: Target
Skirt: Neodandi
Gloves: Thrifted
Spider brooch: eBay
Clutch: Crystalyn Kae
Boots: John Fluevog

Necklace: Miss Michelle’s Family Jewels
Top: Swapped

I am so happy to debut this Neodandi skirt on my blog. I’ve had it for a while and I love it more and more. It’s a pair of men’s pinstripe trousers that have been upcycled into a fabulous fitted skirt. It’s wonderfully stitched together with fancy pleats and tucks and velvet ribbon detailing—and it fits like a glove. Neodandi is a local couture house. And they say Seattle isn’t on the fashion map!

Speaking of local artists, I found this cute Mad Hatter necklace at Miss Michelle’s booth at the Bizarre Bazaar in Capitol Hill just hours before the party. I snapped it up—it was a perfect addition for the theme of the party.

And finally, my amazing, glazed fabric clutch by Crystalyn Kae came in handy. This clutch feels like soft, supple leather, but it’s vegan! It’s dressy yet roomy. I put my phone, wallet, keys, lipstick and camera in the bag and had room to spare. I want one in every color. Crystalyn is a local designer who makes unique bags in fabric, glazed fabric, and recycled leather.

The vegan, local, upcycled, hand-made and/or thrifted and swapped items I’m sporting makes this outfit is a perfect candidate for the Ethical Fashion Bloggers December roundup. You can see the other member’s ethical outfits there too.

I hope you hade fun at a few holiday parties too. Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and all that sh–tuff!