Helen Riegle bags are sustainable and cruelty-free. Right now you can use the savings code WASUB25 to receive 25% off your purchase.

Leaf Laptop Bag
Was $250, now $190 (before applying the 25% discount)

Made of 100% recylced material, microsuede, non-PVC synthetic leather trim, brass or chrome hardware. Available in Flamingo, Black, or Fawn colors. Fits 15-inch laptop comfortably.

Lily Bag
Was $170, not $140 (before apply discount)

Made of organic cotton with non-PVC synthetic leather trim. Features a striking pink recycled material lining and both internal and external pockets to fit all your storage needs. Measures 8″ height by 13″ width and 4″ depth.

Image credit: Helen Riegle Handbags

I have a bit of a crush on Blake Mycoskie, of Tom’s Shoes. Tom’s Shoes give away one pair of shoes for every pair that they sell. Seriously - one for one. Wow.

It all began back in 2006 when Blake met some shoeless kids in Argentina. Did you know that in developing countries use walking as their primary way of getting were they need to go? The problem with going shoeless is that their feet get hurt from all that barefoot walking and when that happens, it leaves them vulnerable to disease.

Wearing shoes prevents feet from getting cuts and sores on unsafe roads and from contaminated soil. Not only are these injuries painful, they also are dangerous when wounds become infected. The leading cause of disease in developing countries is soil-transmitted parasites which penetrate the skin through open sores. Wearing shoes can prevent this and the risk of amputation.

Many times children can’t attend school barefoot because shoes are a required part of their uniform. If they don’t have shoes, they don’t go to school. If they don’t receive an education, they don’t have the opportunity to realize their potential.

And the shoes are cute, made of canvas, perfect for Summer. Vegan styles are available for men and women, the vegan wrap boots, are very unique.

Vegan Khaki Toms
Retails $49

The Vegan Toms feature recycled materials in both upper and and sole. They have a faux suede insole and a textured bottom for traction.

Image credit: Tom’s Shoes.com

My sister, Robin, and I used to make natural facial masks at home using plain oatmeal and honey. We’d mix the two together, spread it on our face, and then wait. After rinsing the sticky mixture away, we’d get close to the mirror and examine our faces. “Do you see any difference?” we’d ask each other. Facial masks are a fun way to slow down and relax, so there’s definitely an emotional benefit, as well.

In the later years, I began to use something a little more complicated and a lot more chemically-created to treat my skin. It felt a bit on the clinical side and I find that I miss the “fun” aspect. I’m all for revisiting the natural  homemade facial masks of my youth and this time around I get my daughters in on it. At 16 and 10, I’ve been teaching them about the importance of good skin care for awhile now.

Certain household items are used frequently in the facial masks that you purchase in the store. Fruit acids exfoliate, honey has anti-bacterial properties, milk soothes, oatmeal exfoliates - most of us have these at home already, which makes them convenient for homemade facial masks.

To get the full at-home spa effect, begin with a facial steaming to open your pores. Heat a large pot of water up to the boiling point, then place to the side to cool a bit. Steam your face over the warm water to which you’ve added 5-6 drops of the essential oil of your choice.

Here are a few ideas:

For oily skin or acne, use tea tree oil
For dry skin, use rose or a chamomile tea infusion
For combination skin, use eucalyptus, lavender, or lemon

Now you are ready for the mask of your choice:

Cocoa Infusion Facial Mask - moisturizing and cleansing

1/3 cup cocoa powder
1/4 cup of honey
2 - 1/2 TBs of milk or soy milk
4 tsp oatmeal

Mix together in a bowl, apply to face, avoiding eye area, and massage in a circular motion. Let the mask set for 15 minutes, while you put your feet up. Then, rinse with warm water, and pat dry.

Olive oil makes a wonderful facial massage oil, but if you prefer, you can substitue Apricot oil instead.

Olive Oil Facial Massage Mask - exfoliating and smoothing, increases circlation

5 ripe strawberries
1 TBS olive oil
1 tsp honey

Mash strawberries into a pulp. Add olive oil, then honey. Mix, then apply to the face, avoiding the eyes. Massage into your face and neck for 5 minutes - use an upward smoothing motion on neck, gentle upward, inward circles on the face. Tissue off excess, rinse thoroughly with warm water, pat dry.

To make a vegan version of this mask or the scrub below, simply skip the honey.

Facial Scrub Mask - smoothing, softening

Ground nuts can be added to honey for an easy exfoliating scrub.  Grind 1/4 cup of walnut or almonds in a coffee grinder, then add to either 2 Tablespoons of honey or yogurt (can substitute soy yogurt for a vegan scrub). Mix well.  Apply to the face, again avoiding the eye area, and massage gently, in a circular motion for 2 minutes. Rinse with warm water, pat dry.

Image credit: All Posters.com

Chic: OK, many people will argue that this is not chic at all and I’m hoping that UGG-like boots will stay in the same realm as Juicy sweatsuits, but there are people that wear them, and they look pretty cute. Who am I to deny them?

Green: Totally vegan. Save those Emus!

Buy: Buy vegan UGG wannabes at Ragazzi Vegan, $78

Chic: Natalie Portman certainly knows her shoes. These pretty pumps are simply gorgeous. I want.

Green: All of Te Casan’s shoes are eco-friendly and vegan.

Cost: Prices start at $105, which is up to 69% off.

Buy: Sign up for ideeli, and buy away! ideeli is a great shoes and accessories site that you won’t regret joining. It’s one of my favorite sample sale sites.

How did I not know about Ragazzi?

They’re a great vegan line of shoes that are decidedly not vegan-looking. All the shoes you see are less than $100. The flats are the stuff of my dreams.

Find out more about Ragazzi

Matt & Nat have a great fall collection with plenty of shine. The pretty silver tone on this one plus the zippers makes me happy. Zippers and other closures are all the rage and I’m totally OK with that.

$230

Check out the Matt & Nat fall collection

I’m currently obsessed with biker jackets, so you’ll be seeing a lot of these.

This is a faux jacket from Ann Taylor. Besides the fact that it’s faux, i have no idea what it’s made out of.

It is lined, and it’s got that great off-center zipper that I’m fond of.

$148.00

Get tMotorcycle Jacket by Bagatelle exclusively for Ann Taylor

Better than a leather motorcycle jacket, grab this imitation leather jacket from Anastasia Lomonova.

Leather can be eco-friendly, especially if it’s recycled or tanned using eco-friendly methods. If you’re dying for a leather jacket, your best option is to buy vintage. But if you’re trying to rid your life of leather, this jacket if perfect.

It’s made out of polyester, but doesn’t look like pleather. I actually really like the gold, which would be great over a dress for night time or to glam up a pair of your favorite organic cotton jeans.

$191.04

Get the Carrie Jacket

The bright magenta color totally makes this Matt & Nat bag for me.

It’s a vegan leather bag, with magenta lining and about a bajillion pockets. You’ve got one for your cell phone, two on the outside and other on the inside. There’s also a cute detachable keychain!

Matt & Nat bags are great for those concerned about leather and animal products. Everything they make is totally vegan, but amazingly stylish.

$245

Get the matt & nat magenta bag

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