Pretty by Nature

Faux Fur For Fall

Michelle Smith — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 20:45:55 +0000

Where do you stand on the issue of faux fur?

I was reading a column the other day where the author frowned on any use of faux fur. She felt that looking like you were wearing animal fur of any sort – even fake – was unsettling. I will admit that I am not a fan of certain types of faux fur. I can’t explain exactly why, but wearing anything that is supposed to look like pony fur, for example, feels wrong to me personally. (Ponies? What’s next? Faux puppy skin? Ick.).

Vegan, but not necessarily eco-friendly, faux fur is traditionally made from materials like acryllic or polyester. At this point, I’d say the greenest way to go faux is to shop vintage. I’ll keep my eye out for more options to share in the future. (If you know of eco-friendly faux fur choices, please share them with me!!)

Here are a few cute vintage items that will add a warm, welcome boost to any cold weather blahs you may be experiencing.

60s Fabulous Faux Fur Coat
Found at Green Violet Vintage, Etsy
$80

Made of Lynx-look faux fur, this coat is lined with gold brocade and features a fancy, full-cut collar. It’s made by Russel Taylor and available in small, medium, and large. It’s noted as being in excellent condition.

Vintage Emanuel Ungaro Leopard Print Mini
Found at Stelma Designs
$40

Gorgeous couture mini in excellent vintage condition. What a fun piece to add to your wardrobe at only $40. Wow. It’s a size 8/42 petite. Great choice to build a New Year’s Eve outfit around.

Take a look at Etsy and see what else you can find. I used “Faux Fur“, then “Vintage” as the keywords for my search.

Image credits: Green Violet Vintage and Stelma Designs at Etsy

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Latest Looks For Nails

Michelle Smith — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:56:54 +0000

The latest trend for nail color Fall and Winter 2009 is a matte look in a dark tones. Current colors in vogue include rich, dark plums and purples, dark browns, wines, navy, deep greens, and grays. If you are looking for more sparkle, try a metallic-look red, gold, or silver.

This year nails are worn a little longer and in a “squoval” shape. What is a “squoval”? It’s a square-ish nail with a rounded tip. It’s a more natural shape, it sort of mimics the tip of the finger. Go moderate in length to be most current – not too long, not too short.

Dashing Diva’s Manhattan Collection is a line of 3-Free nail enamels. That means that the enamel is free of Phthalate, Toluene, and Formaldehyde.

A new favorite of mine is the slate-colored, matte Astor Place. It’s a smooth gray color that looks great on short as well as long nails. Other colors of note include the matte green Grand Central Station, deepest crimson-colored Dark PR, another matte in a purple called City That Never Sleeps, or gold-flecked Golden Opportunity.

You can find Dashing Diva nail enamel online or at your local Dashing Diva nail salon.

Image credit: Dashing Diva

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Eco-Chic Flats From Zoe&Zac

Michelle Smith — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 18:08:07 +0000

I’m a big fan of flip flops. I wear them much of the year, but when the weather turns cold, I need a little something more to keep my toes warm. For me, the natural progression is flip flop to ballet flat. It’s still a slip-on and it’s still on the casual side. Zoe&Zac has a line of inexpensive eco-chic shoes available at Payless shoe Source. They’ve got both ballet flats and the ballet flat’s sportier cousin – the skimmer.

Dahlia Boucle Ballet Flat
$24.99

Available in a purple wool-blend boucle. The upper is made of faux suede and the inside is soft jersey, with a recycled rubber bottom. There is also a matching handbag available.

Zoe&Zac Snapdragon Ballet Flat
$24.99

For those dreary days that leave you dreaming of Spring days….The Snapdragon Ballet Flat is lined with Organic cotton and has a recycled rubber bottom. Available in pink only.

Zac&Zoe Daisy Frayed Skimmer
$19.99

This one reminds me of a comfy flannel shirt, but it’s for your feet. Made with organic, recycled, and nickel-free materials.

Don’t forget Payless Shoe Sources’s popular BOGO sale. Buy one pair now and get the second pair for half price.

Image credit: Payless Shoe Source

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Green & Beautiful Dresses For All Occasions

Michelle Smith — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 18:41:17 +0000

I’ve got a fresh bunch of dresses for you to take a look at. I love dresses. I love throwing one on and instantly feeling a little more feminine, a little dressed up. I am always looking for something new to add to my collection. The dresses below are made of ec0-friendly fabrics like Peace Silk or Lyocell.

Chitin Dress
By Linda Loudermilk
$725

This dress is an onyx-black eco-silk, also known as “peace silk” chemise. I love the layered look and high neckline. With it’s beautiful sheen and sophisticated design, this dress is the perfect choice for any occasion that calls for a little black dress. It’s available in Misses sizes up to 16.

Wild Silk Wrap Dress
By Fin Oslo
$475

This wrap dress is made out of black wild hand-spun silk. I like the collar and the flutter sleeves. The full-skirt and soft draping make this a very flattering dress for many figure types. It’s available in sizes 34, 36, 28, 40, 42.

Sea Goddess Dress
By Chloe Angus
$279

I love this dress! I love the V-neckline, the high waistline, and the draping – very figure friendly. It’s made of Lyocell, which is derived from wood cellulose. It’s available in Ocean, Seagrass, or Slate in sizes up to 16.

Image credit: Juno and Jove

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Save Money & Enter Sweepstakes At Origins

Michelle Smith — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 22:23:56 +0000

Origins is wishing you a “Happy Holidays” with a savings offer for their “friends and family.” Beginning today 11/14/09 and running through 11/19/09, you can save 25% off your online order or print out an in-store coupon. To redeem online, use the savings code NovFF.

When you visit the Origins website, don’t forget to enter their Wake Up & Win Sweepstakes.

The grand prize includes:

*A 3-month supply of Origins New GinZing™ Refreshing eye cream to brighten and depuff
(A $29.50 suggested retail value)

* A $250 Origins gift certificate

* The illy Francis Francis X7 espresso machine and case of illy espresso capsules
(A $500 suggested retail value)

Nine additional winners will get 3 months worth of Origins New GinZing™ Refreshing eye cream, a $250 gift certificate, and illy coffee.

If you live near an Origins store, stop by for one of their free mini facials. Personalized treatments cover Age Preventing, Firming, Redness Relieving, Brightening, and Hydrating. Call your local location to secure your appointment.

Image credit: Origins

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Color Your Hair Naturally

Michelle Smith — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 18:32:48 +0000

Have previous attempts to find a nature-based hair color left you with little or no choice in color or formula? Advanced Cosmetics Technologies – ACT Naturals - makes an all-natural permanent hair color that is a 100% plant-based color. It is free of Para-Phenylene Diamine, which is both an allergen and suspected carcinogen. The formula contains conditioning botanical extracts, it’s vegan, and uses “renewable and sustainable plant dyes,” that tint hair by bonding to it. It’s gentle and does not alter the natural pH balance in your hair.

Traditional haircolor contains ingredients like ammonia or PPD, which can damage hair (or possibly cause Cancer). Unlike Henna, which used to be the only choice in “natural” haircolor, it does not dull your hair.

ACT is safe for pregnant or nursing mothers, people who suffer from conditions like Lyme disease, or Cancer survivors.

It comes in a choice of 13 colors and you can find the haircolor at ACT Naturals and Whole Foods.

If you make a purchase between now and March 31, 2010, you can save 10% and a portion of the purchase price will go to The October Woman Foundation. Use the code OW10%OFF at checkout.

Imge credit: ACT Naturals

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Vegan, Faux Leather Handbags

Michelle Smith — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 22:48:45 +0000

NOAH handbags are cruelty-free, made of vegan-friendly materials like canvas and Italian PVC. They are easy to organize inside with 3 pockets which can be used for stashing phone, change, or your lipstick. There’s a clip for your keys and an inner zipper compartment. They are closed with a magnetic closure.

The Fall Collection includes beautiful appliqued bags. Each piece an artist statement. Below you can find a few that I thought were especially cute. If you find something that you like, then use offer code DEAL25 at checkout to receive 25% off of your purchase price.

Autumn Leaves

The Autumn Leaves bag is available in two shoulder strap styles. One has a tote-bag look with a brown faux leather handle set in the middle of the bag. There’s also a bag that they are calling North South with a up and down rectangular shape and an additional zipper down the side. Both are made in a khaki canvas with a brown applique.

Wavy Canvas

The Wavy Canvas bags are made of a quilted canvas. They are fully lined and the shoulder straps are made of PVC in either an orange or a dark brown. It comes in a tote or a large or small hobo bag.

Image credit: Noah Hand Bags

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RAW Essentials: Product Review

Michelle Smith — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 22:32:37 +0000

Carol Alt is a long time proponent of a raw food lifestyle. She has written a couple of best-selling books on the subject; Eating In the Raw and The Raw 50. She believes that by subjecting food to high temperatures, we destroy a lot of the vitamins, minerals, nutrients, and antioxidants the food contains.

After much research, Alt found that the body absorbs 60% of what is placed upon the skin. She wanted to develop a healthier alternative to traditional skin care. RAW Essentials is the end result. The products are made with certified raw ingredients, they are vegan, and cruelty-free. They contain no petroleum, sulfates, detergents, parabens, synthetic preservatives, GMOs, artificial colors or fragrances.

RAW Essentials sent me a few of their items to sample for review. I tried the following products:

Raw-Juvenate Eye Recoup – Contains pure Aloe, Virgin Coconut Oil, Mushroom extract

Raw Vita Eye Serum- Contains pure Aloe, Tamanu Oil, Virgin Coconut Oil

Raw-Acivate Daily Revitaling Facial Moisturizer- Contains pure Aloe, Tamanu Oil, Virgin Coconut Oil, Citrus Oil

Raw-Finish Rigorous Face Scrub- Contains pure Aloe, Eucalyptus Leaf Oil, Sucrose Cocoate

Raw-Scue Night Restore Cream- Contains pure Aloe, Squalene, Virgin Coconut Oil, Licorice Root Extract

I liked all the products. I feel that they work well – gentle, but thorough. My favorite items would be the Eye Recoup and the Night Cream. The Eye Recoup felt cool on my skin, soothing. I like that it can be used both under the eye and on the eyelid itself. The Night Cream felt thick and moisturizing, but it was not greasy and my skin absorbed it completely. I like that the RAW Essentials products are affordable and that they smell good.

The only problem that I had with the products is the packaging. The Eye Recoup dispenses too much at once, which can lead to waste. The Eye Serum has a metal ball and once you get it flowing, it works great, but you have to roll it over and over before any comes out.

You can learn more about RAW Essentials here.

Image credit: Michelle Smith

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Sabon’s Free Gift Offer For the Holidays

Michelle Smith — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 21:04:42 +0000

When times get stressful, I love to put the kids to bed, then relax with a leisurely soak in the tub. The house is quiet and the only left on my to-do list is bed time, so I’m free to do nothing. Bliss.

I like to use homemade bath salts, bubble bath, or Sabon’s Honey Peach Mineral powder. It is a sweet-smelling, effervescent treat for the tub – and it’s good for my skin. It’s made from a blend of Dead Sea salts, minerals, and essential oils. It naturally contains the minerals magnesium, calcium, and iron. These minerals are known to lower blood pressure, help with rheumatism, relax you, soothe tired muscles, and soften your skin.

If Honey Peach is not your fragrance of choice, then you might try Patchouli Lavendar Rose, Patchouli Lavendar Vanilla, and Vanilla Coconut.

Honey Peach Mineral Powder
17 ounces for $24

I got an email from Sabon today and they are offering a free gift with purchase starting today, November 11, 2009 through November 18, 2009. Sabon is promising to ship orders on time for Christmas delivery if you place the order before December 15, 2009.

I can’t find any specific information about what each gift entails (size, scent, etc), but I’m guessing, going by the code and the photo, that it’s a candle, a hand lotion, or a body oil.

The free gift offer codes are:

CANDLE09
LOTION09
BODYOIL09

Image credit: Sabon.com

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Affordable, Custom-Made, Organic Lingerie

Michelle Smith — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 22:26:20 +0000

On the Inside, a lingerie shop at Etsy, carries custom-made lingerie. Many of the items are made with organic materials.

I am more than happy to do custom sizes. I can make most of my designs fit any body! Just drop me a line. Please be certain of your size when you order, as I cannot accept any returns because it is custom work and for hygienic reasons…I’m sure you understand.

If you see a fabric you like, but would like it in a different style, just ask, as I can mix and match many of the fabrics/trims/styles to create something just for you!

Isn’t that a wonderful idea for a gift – especially for a new bride? You’d think that custom-made bras would be pricey, but the prices were very reasonable. Items include panties, bras, and camisoles. Here are a few items that I would like to add to my wish list…

Organic Cotton Sweetspire Camisole
$35

This camisole looks so soft and comfy. It would be perfect for bedtime or layered beneath a sweater. It’s available in sizes extra small through extra large.

Organic Cotton Summersweet Bra
$33

I love the colors used here – sage and brown. This bra would probably work best if your figure was on the petite to average size as the bra does not have an underwire.

Organic Cotton Lily of the Valley Panties
$21

These lace-trimmed panties can be paired with On the Inside’s Star Jasmine camisole. The Summersweet bra can also be made to match.

Image credit: On the Inside

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