Jeffrey Campbell Convert Collection
August 22, 2011

If you’re a major designer, and you’re thinking about creating an ethically-conscious collection, I have one suggestion: do it right and partner with someone who knows what the hell they’re doing. On that note: thank you, Convert. Here’s a snippet of Convert’s philosophy, in the owner’s own words (emphasis mine): “I want my customers to [...]
I Am Not Responsible If You Try to Skank In These Shoes
August 12, 2011

There are some boots that I really want. They’re adorable, and they’re wedges, and they’re on sale, and they’re…leather. Not even sustainable veggie-tanned leather – or at least they’re not advertised as such. Just…leather. Boots. Damn it. As soon as I realized this, I started looking for vegan alternatives…and found nothing like the pretty leather [...]
Creative Control: Laptop Bags That Aren’t
August 10, 2011

When I first purchased my laptop – years later than everyone else because my desktop hung on by a thin, fiberoptic thread for entirely too long – I spent a long time looking at bags. The local electronic store had quite a selection. An uninspiring selection. Rather than spend $50 on a laptop bag I’d [...]
Spritz, Shower & Shave: Herban Cowboy
August 2, 2011
It’s been a while since I talked about men. Musky, sweaty men. Summer projects around the house with their shirts off men. If you’re dating a man, and you’re doing it because you like him*, you probably like the way he smells. I happen to be dating a man, and lo and behold: I’m not [...]
The Shoes and the Bag [Lady]
July 19, 2011
I think it’s ridiculous when girls in movies spend a full-day date – a fifteen-minute montage scene, with lunch, a walk through the park, a trip to the candy store, a late-night drink, the walk back to their apartment where they awkwardly confess that they have a boyfriend, but he’s in Europe finding himself, and [...]
Ethical Designer Profile: Matt & Nat
June 14, 2011

[starreviewmulti id=2 tpl=20 style='plain' size='16' average_stars='darkness' average_size='16'] Oh, Matt & Nat, it’s been too long. I can’t help but write this Ethical Designer Profile as a sort of unrequited love letter. I say sort of because I do own a gorgeous vegan wallet by Matt & Nat, but have yet to purchase one of their [...]
It’s Monday, I’m In Love (with Loving Eco)
June 13, 2011

Lindsay and I get together to “work” every Saturday. I say “work” because our day mostly consists of drinking too much coffee, shopping and giggling. (More on that in The Ethical Rag, Awakened Aesthetic’s brand new newsletter.) During the “dear god, let’s try to focus for five minutes” part of our day, Lindsay hit the [...]
Take Me To The Beach
April 27, 2011

And when you’re on your way to pick me up in your hybrid car, please stop by eBags.com and pick me up one of these amazing beach bags from Earth Axxessories. C’monnnnn. They’re all less than $40 (just skip a night at the bar) and are 100% vegan – mostly made with natural fibers like [...]
Animals: Friends, Not Fashion!
February 22, 2011

Remember the delicious, coat-lusting we collective did while staring at pieces from Vaute Couture? Get your kleenex ready because VC is back, and with a new, adorable line of sweatshirt tees. The Friends Series Favorite Sweatshirt $64 Animals Are Friends. I know Poochie will be all over these. Made of eco-heather fleece (recycled polyester & [...]
Ethical Designer Profile: Cri de Coeur
January 31, 2011

[starreviewmulti id=2 tpl=20 style='plain' size='16' average_stars='darkness' average_size='16'] I have a thing for brands whose names have stories. Fashion is a kind of romance, to me, and when I see a piece of clothing I want to feel something, like I do with a great painting. The best designers conjure up emotions on the runway – [...]
Temptation in the Form of Vegan Leather
December 2, 2010

Note to self: Christmas is not about you. Admit that you’re defeated by consumerism and move on. — Today is hard. Beyond the Rack is having a sale on MATT & NAT handbags AND belts. I hate Beyond the Rack. Their orders take about sixteen years to get to me, because of some ridiculous roundabout [...]
Everything I Wanted
November 30, 2010

Good morning, Monday readers. It’s time to shake off the chill and get to work (or school, or back to bed if you’re lucky). I thought I’d give ya’ll a heads up that my latest eco-post is live, right now, at Broke & Beautiful. It’s about my brand new vegan boots (c/o Wanted), and since [...]
De-Vaute-d: Vegan Winter Bliss
November 10, 2010

“Vaute Couture not just because of the V, for vegan, but because Vaute (vote) is really what I think that’s what you do when you buy something… The workers, how much they’re being paid… the fabrics… are they innovating in a way that’s conscientious? That’s what you end up promoting – exactly what that company [...]
Urban Decay Test Drives “Vegan”
August 20, 2010

It’s Lindsay! Owner of Broke & Beautiful and Co-Founder of The Demoiselles. Pleased to meet you! Once you guys actually remember who I am, I’ll take away this italicized part. Until then, deal with it! While Urban Decay may proudly boast the “no testing on animals” sticker on their proverbial, cosmetic bumper, they’ve now attempted [...]
A Day for Men
June 15, 2010

I both love and dread Father’s Day. My dad’s such a cool guy: he went from a mechanic to a top sales guy, from teaching SCUBA diving to owning his own business, from childhood dreams to being a part-time cop who spends weekends at car shows…and he’s done it all by breaking the rules of [...]
Sustainable Sales: Stella McCartney on Yooxygen
April 14, 2010
There are reasons that Lindsay (f/k/a Elle) is my best friend. Chief among them is our sense of balance with each other: I’m logical and controlled; she’s wild and unpredictable. My sense of style is classic; hers is trend-setting. I search for the balance point in almost every debate; she makes her stand and takes [...]
To Covet: Soft Soaps
March 19, 2010

I took a spill on Wednesday night, and managed to scrape up my arm, sprain (break?) my wrist, and ruin a pair of jeans with grass and mud stains. My solution? A good cry and a long, hot bath. (You’re damned right I cried. I was dragged three feet by the wrist due to an [...]
Sustainable Sales: curtsey and BEAU SOLEIL and Melissa!
March 9, 2010

It’s a sustainable sale that’s perfect for spring: curtsey at Ideeli. Here’s the skinny, from their site: …The California-born and -based designer specializes in bright, flirty frocks that dress up and down with equal ease. Paired with a slouchy boyfriend blazer, they’re great for every day, or throw on the statement heels and you’re ready [...]
To Covet: Going Grey…as a Neutral
February 17, 2010

Sometimes, “covet” isn’t a strong enough word to suggest the impression a trend, or an untrendy “fashion idea,” has made on me. For the past few weeks, I’ve been obsessed with the color grey. Maybe I’m just copying Elle (who stopped wearing color for a few months in 2009), or maybe I’m exemplifying a subdued [...]
Ethical Designer Profile: Beyond Skin
February 8, 2010

[starreviewmulti id=2 tpl=20 style='plain' size='16' average_stars='darkness' average_size='16'] Exhibit A: Gorgeous grey pump (the Opal). Stats: Comes in charcoal (pictured), brown and fuscia(!); Has a wickedly-curved 3.5-inch heel; Is soft-looking enough for the office, but would dominate at happy hour; and Is made entirely of sustainable materials. Exhibit B: Cuffed bootie, aptly titled the Hendrix Boot.Stats: [...]














