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 …read more

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 …read more

Etsy shopping…. The Peeko Apparel shop at Etsy is stocked with unique handmade clothing items made from reclaimed, recycled, can reconditioned materials. I really like the tunics, some as long as short dresses, made from men’s dress shirts. She reuses parts of the shirts – collars, sleeves, etc – in new ways to make a peaked sleeve or a stand-up collar. Really interesting designs.
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 …read more

Last March, I interviewed jewelry designer, Sara Reichert of 1 O.A.K. by Sara. I love her beautiful pieces that feature both new and vintage materials and are worn by celebrities like Mia and Jaime Pressley.
1 O.A.K. by Sara is handcrafted jewelry inspired by the people, places and objects that embody every day.  Every piece is created by mixing fine quality beads or crystals with base metals or 14 kt gold-filled elements.  Vintage pieces are also added for just the right sparkle and shape resulting in a variety of unique and pretty accessories – truly defining you as 1 Of A Kind.
Take …read more

Etsy weekend shopping…I love copper accents. I love the warmth of the color and how the copper changes with age. These earrings are upcycled with vintage beads – notice the etching on the beads. These are lovely earrings with a boho feel – my favorite style, as I’ve mentioned before. They are shipped in a black box, perfect for gift giving.
Copper Garden Earrings – $24

Vintage copper beads that are etched in a delicate floral design are strung on a rosy copper ballpin, suspended on handmade hammered copper rings, and finished with copper leverback earwires. A coppery garden for your ears…
These earrings …read more

I love a clutch bag. There’s something about a sleek, little bag, tucked under your arm, especially if you’ve got a cute bracelet on…it’s a very feminine look.  Here are some eco-friendly clutches for you to take a look at. They are all available online at Green with Glamour.
The Ruffle Clutch from Refind Originals comes in three colors; mustard, royal blue, and red. I like the mustard best because it’s a soft buttery hue. Very pretty with the double ruffle. The Ruffle Clutch is made from recycled material, “…super-soft leather, originally used for clothing, uholstery, and the like…”  It measures …read more

Back to Etsy, because it’s my favorite place to shop…
Let’s look at some jewelry today. Here’s a statement necklace that used to be a brooch. It hangs on a silver-plated chain that measures 18 inches. The neutral sandy tones make this a great choice for accenting Fall wardrobe colors.

Recycled Brooch Spiral Necklace
$14
Another statement piece, this time let your fingers do the talking. Vintage earring mounted on an adjustable ring base. This is the sort of ring my daughter loves.

Filigree Cup Ring
$12
I love this vintage cuff bracelet. It’s 2 inches wide and 7 inches around. The seller is not positive what …read more

Etsy weekend shopping… It’s been awhile since we went vintage dress shopping.
Lets see what we can find….
I like this vintage Alfred Werber dress in a unique kimono style. It’s made in a bold color-block type stripe and it’s shown with a white cloth belt, but I think I’d cinch it with something wide and in a contrasting color. This dress is in a size medium-large and it’s listed as being in “great” shape. ’

Navy and White Vintage Kimono Dress
$45
This dress would be a good choice for the holidays. It’s got that sexy secretary look and comes in a size small. They …read more

One of the most effective ways to stay warm on a cool Fall day is to put a hat on your head. A lot of body heat escapes through the head, so cover up with something cute and warmly go along your merry way.
Here are a few handmade and upcycled hats that I found while looking around at Etsy…

Recycled Wool Brimster – $27
By A Babneau Art
Made from what was one considered a “hideous pair of wool slacks.”  The hat is lined with tan flannel inside. 

Boarder Beanie  - $15
By Matic Studio
Cute unisex beanie fits a standard 21.5 inc standard head form. The …read more

I noticed some definite trends in the 2009 Emmy gowns. One was the use of red – it was all over the place. There were also a lot of asymetrical necklines and one-shoulder looks. I’m torn over the one shoulder looks. Sometimes it’s beautiful, but other times it looks like two completely dresses. It doesn’t always flow and it can be very distracting. Do you want to wear a dress or do you want your dress to wear you.
Here are a couple of examples of the red dresses…..
Ana Tov – This was my favorite of the red gowns. I love the neckline …read more