Here’s my idea for a first date outfit that would be perfect for coffee, lunch, or a casual dinner.

Straight Leg Jeans
Good Society – $109

I love these straight leg jeans in gray. They are made with organic cotton and just a touch of lycra. They are handmade, fairly traded and a portion of the profits made from their sale goes to charity. That just might make them good-karma first date denims.

Disco Top
SUST – $76

This slate-colored, short-sleeved tunic is a cute and comfy choice. You can wear it on or off the shoulders. It’s also available in a cherry red (men love red) or a soft buttery yellow. I picked the slate, because I’m going for subtle and classic.

Summer Scarf
SUST – $24

This scarf would give me something to do with my hands, which could be a lifesaver when dealing with first date jitters. When sitting down, I could hold onto the ends and stop myself from gesturing madly, which is what I’m prone to do when nervous. The scarf is made from a soft, organic, supima cotton.

Image credit: Envi

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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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The tops are customized – you pick the color and material combination for your shirt and it’s sized to your specifications. Each tunic takes 3 weeks to make,  so if you are planning to make it a gift, keep that in mind. 

Here are a couple styles of the shirts:

ReConstructed Gentlemen’s Dres Shirt #2
$70

This cute little number is reconstructed from a gentlemen’s dress shirt. Cleverly altered and upcycled for a playful girly touch. Asymmetrical kimono style sleeves. Chunky stretch Ribbed scooped collar adorned with ruffles. Removable Brooch, made of cluster of buttons and ribbon, add little touch of embellishment, removable for washing, or even worn on an outer shell to make a matching combo to your look.. Matching stretch ribbing waist band, pulls over easily.

Dads Plaid Hand-Me-Down ReConstructed Shirt
$75

This cute little number is reconstructed from a gentlemen’s dress shirt. Cleverly altered and upcycled for a playful girly touch. Asymmetrical kimono style sleeves. Chunky, drape like collar. Drummer style fasten ribbons and button for a bold impact of embellishment. Black ribbing waistband compliments the elastic detail on shoulders.

Image credit: Peeko Apparel

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Real Simpleaddressed the hourglass figure, the slim or straight figure, full thighs and hips, or a tummy.  Keep the folowing ideas in mind when shopping for a skirt:

*For an hourglass, chose a skirt that skims your figure, but is not tight. Pick a skirt that hits below the belly button. A higher waist makes the torso and bust appear unbalanced.

*Add curves to a slim figure by choosing a patterned skirt in a heavier fabric, that is cut tapered or close to the body. A high waistline is a good choice for this type of figure.

*To camouflage fuller thighs and hips, chose a skirt that is gently tapered. Too straight and Real Simple says you run the risk of looking like a “square,” too tapered and you are a “light bulb.” (Light bulb. Funny, but a great visual example.) Chose a lightweight material in a dark, solid color.

*A wide, simple, un-embellished waistband works best with a tummy.

Organic Merino Wool Skirt  available at Gaia Conceptions.

Image credit: Gaia Conceptions at Etsy.com

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Peasant-Sleeved Shrug
$70

Do you dread leaving your favorite Summer favorites behind? How about extending the life of those sleeveless tops with this shrug made in an organic cotton/bamboo lycra jersey.  It features a 4-way stretch that grows softer with each and every wash. It’s shown here in a charcoal-gray and black. It also comes in an ivory and lavender, but the ad says you can chose “anything your heart desires,” so convo the seller for additional color choices?

I love the sleeves, the way they hang. It reminds me of playing dress-up as a kid. It appeals to my inner princess. I enjoy clothing that is fun, as well as useful. 

Long Sleeve Hoodie with Thumbholes
$90

I forsee many comfy weekends spent in this adorable organic bamboo/cotton jersey hoodie. It’s shown here in a pink and raspberry stripe, but you can get it in a two-tone red, as well. Convo the seller for additional color choices. The hoodie has a “kanga” pocket and thumbholes at the end of the sleeves. The hood is “roomy” and the edges are serged off all around.

It’s designed with a waist-whittling secret – the hem is slightly longer at the ends, which gives the effect of a smaller waist.

Men’s Baseball Tee
$75

Here’s something for your guy. How about treating him to a handmade, sized to his measurements, tee. It  features an “athletic cut and distressed details.”  It’s made with an organic cotton/bamboo jersey fabric. It’s shown in a white with dusty gray sleeves, but it’s available in “any color combo.” 

The graphic is hand-drawn and you can skip it or use your own illustration idea for your tee.

For more eco-friendly beauty via Etsy, take a look at Chloe’s post on organic fabric lingerie.

Image credit: Ella Phante at Etsy.com

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*Don’t over-highlight blond hair. The golden tones are what you want. Jennifer Aniston is the perfect example. Only Gwen Stefani call truly pull off platinum.

*When choosing jeans, look for a pair with at least 2 percent Lycra. The stretch will help to support your figure and it makes your butt look better.

*See a fitting expert to help you find the correct bra size. Two things that really help your figure instantly – good posture and a good-fitting bra.

*Dark,  matte lipsticks ages a face. Pick something pink and with a bit of gloss. Another thing, that I do myself , is to apply lip balm and then layer  lipstick lightly over it. It gives a little color, but it’s translucent.

*Aging skin benefits from creamier forms of makeup – cream blush, cream concealer, cream bronzer, and cream foundation. Use a tinted moisturizer if you can get by with a smaller amount of coverage. You don’t have to purchase a special already tinted moisturizer. I mix a few drops of liquid foundation into my everyday moisturizer. Sometimes I add a little shimmery highlighter into the mix as well. It helps to brighten your face and blur the lines.

Image credit: Zuma Press.com

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D’Arcy Tie Front Blouse
Kelly B Couture
$95

Dress this tie-front blouse up for work with a slim-fitting skirt or team it with jeans and heels for a night out. It’s made from 95% hemp jersey (very soft) and 5% spandex, so it’s comofortable, but holds a good fit. It’s available in a small or medium. Use the savings code KellyB20 at checkout to save 20% on both this time and the trench below.

Slim Leg Jean
Good Society
$109

Made from a combination of organic cotton denim and 2% lycra and available in sizes 24-32. Comes with a Good Society bandana. Good Society is a supporter to the International Justice Mission which works on behalf of women who are working to recover their lives after being forced into the sex trafficking industry.

Tabitha Trench
Kelly B Couture
Regularly $250, on sale for $162.50

Top your blouse and jeans with this organic cotton twill trench that’s accented with gold buttons and studs. It’s machine washable and available in a medium or large. I love the full collar and short length.

Image credit: Green With Glamour.com

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The Charlize Theron Africa Outreach Project is committed to creating and supporting programs in South Africa to address the immediate needs of under resourced children and communities, while still promoting self-sustainability, growth, and responsibility.

Look Within. Think Beyond. Reach Out.

The tees feature a graphic that brings to mind a bulls-eye – very much embodying the “Look within” idea.

They are available in heather grey, white, pink, dewberry (purple), and orange. They are sized for women or men in extra-small to extra-large. You can see the t-shirts here.

For more information about Theron’s Africa Outreach Project click here.  Celebrities are in such a great position to bring attention and support to people and areas in need. I love reading about their charitable work and I’ll do my best to share what I find with readers. If you read about a good program like Theron’s tees, then please contact me and I’ll get the word out.

Image credit: Zuma Press

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Here are a couple of examples of the red dresses…..

Ana Tov – This was my favorite of the red gowns. I love the neckline and if I were her, I’d be tempted to wear this dress every day. Her body looks incredible.

Blake Lively – I noticed that this dress was on a lot of the BEST/WORST lists, but I think it’s gorgeous.  Not wearing a necklace was a great choice.

Debra Messing – I like the use of one-shoulder here.  It’s one piece and does not look like it belongs to another dress or like it’s an after thought.

Here is a beautiful vintage Giorgio Armani gown that is both red and one-shouldered. Wow. I love the gathered bodice and the use one-shoulder design works perfectly here.

Giorgio Armani gown DC-0016
$6400

Giorgio Armani silky gathered stretch jersey bodice gown with asymmetrical, single-shoulder construction and exuberant (and endless) ruffled silk organza skirt. Waist measures 28″, and the bodice’s jersey fabric will stretch to fit most relative bust sizes, the length is 59″. Condition is excellent. Breathtaking.

Emmy 2009 photo credits: Zuma.com
Vintage dress image credit: The Frock.com

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Here’s a cute chemise that is made with a blend of materials, including bamboo. It features black and red floral embroidery along to the top. It has an empire waist and a halter style top. It’s on sale, 50% off, at Cocos Shoppe.

Natori – Bonita Chemise
$44 on sale, regularly $88

Here’s another empire-waist, bamboo chemise with a comfortable easy-fit. I like the fullness in the top. So many times a halter top has a small cup and that can rule it out for woman with a fuller bustline.

Natori – Union Square Chemise
$32 on sale, regularly $66

This wrap would be great for the gym. It’s cuter than a towel, but just as effective.

Natori Fresh Wrap
$66

Image credit: Coco’s Shoppe

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