So, last month I went to an awesome store opening in Williamsburg (oh billyburg you are so trendy, yet so subway inconvenient). Located at 234 Grand Street, it’s actually the first retail location of Vaute Couture, the brand whose lookbook I blogged about in January. While there, I had the pleasure of [...]]]>

So, last month I went to an awesome store opening in Williamsburg (oh billyburg you are so trendy, yet so subway inconvenient). Located at 234 Grand Street, it’s actually the first retail location of Vaute Couture, the brand whose lookbook I blogged about in January. While there, I had the pleasure of meeting the founder, Leanne Mai-ly Hilgart, who has not only been an animal and environmental activist since age 8, but is also just such a sweetheart! She has done an incredible job bringing Vaute Couture to life, the first apparel line to focus on developing high style, high performance fashion without any animal derived materials.

The store is made of nearly all salvaged materials, like old highschool lockers, ex-Abercrombie mannequins, a 100% vegan photobooth made of antique doors and a cashwrap designed from Lady Gaga’s ex-Barney’s mantle! And they  finished the space with art pieces made just for the store by local Brooklyn artists. Not toooo shabby. All in all, the event was a blast and the clothes are seriously fabulous.

Here’s Alisa, food-blogger extraordinaire, taking one of the Vaute Couture coats for a spin. What do you think – like or love?!

Lata,

Bree

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**UPDATE: Our winner is Mary Rose Giles! Congrats Mary!!**

As you know, I’m a vintage/thrift addict and I think I can safely say that’s about all I regularly shop. So I was so excited to come across Dusty Rose Vintage, an amazing vintage shop, to be [...]]]>

**UPDATE: Our winner is Mary Rose Giles! Congrats Mary!!**

As you know, I’m a vintage/thrift addict and I think I can safely say that’s about all I regularly shop. So I was so excited to come across Dusty Rose Vintage, an amazing vintage shop, to be found on Etsy and Market Publique, full of unique and fabulous pieces that I drool over daily. Briefly, I’ll give you a run down of this outfit before noting the real reason for this post (hint: it’s a giveaway). My top is a thrifted basic white T-shirt with an adorable little graphic on the front and my jacket is a vintage find that I’m obsessed with. My shoes, you’ve seen before and they are vintage Stubbs and Wootton.

Okay, now the bag. This adorable vintage bag with gold hardware is amazing. I was tempted to keep it because it’s just the right size to fit all your essentials but not weigh you down. Also, I adore the mahogany hue that is ever so versatile. As you can see, I’m wearing this casually here, but you could definitely take the bag up a fancy notch and work it that way.

So to the point. This bag is up for grabs! It’s got a front flap that opens to a zipper pocket. There are three inner pockets, one with a clasp closure and smaller zipper pocket inside. In short, its spacious! The straps are just long enough to fit over your shoulder if you’re not bulked up with layers, but also great for toting around on your forearm or in hand.

So here’s how you enter:

1. FRIEND Dusty Rose Vintage on Facebook: facebook.com/dustyrosevintage

2. COMMENT on this blog post and tell us how you’d wear the bag (something like: how you’d style it, what colors you’d pair it with, etc.).

After you’ve done both, you’re officially entered.

*Entries will be accepted until midnight on Friday, April 20th and we’ll draw the winner (randomly selected) on Saturday, April 21st. I will reach out to the winner, get your mailing address and send away.

Also, don’t forget to follow Dusty Rose Vintage on twitter, Pinterest and via their blog!

Here’s more of the bag:

Thanks for reading and entering!!

XOXO,

Zanna

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When I used to work in a corporate environment, I loathed getting dressed everyday and putting on the drone-like slacks/pencil skirt and button-up top. There was just no originality in it and I struggled to look and feel good, professional and put together. I’m not gonna lie, there were many days where I’d [...]]]>

When I used to work in a corporate environment, I loathed getting dressed everyday and putting on the drone-like slacks/pencil skirt and button-up top. There was just no originality in it and I struggled to look and feel good, professional and put together. I’m not gonna lie, there were many days where I’d throw on dark jeans and hope they’d pass as black slacks. I think that was my inner freelancer trying to come out.

Anyway, my point in all this is to say that I always wished there was a fashionable option that was versatile, quick and easy and I found it in ELSA AND ME! Of course, I no longer go to an office, but the great thing about ELSA AND ME is their signature dress works for the office and the weekend. The Brooklyn-based designer Maja Svensson left her corporate job to create these signature dresses and help empower women through sustainable style.  The organic cotton frock, which comes in dusty black and vanilla white (with a midnight blue version soon to launch), is seriously chic, has awesome pockets, a great neckline and can flatter most shapes.

As far as sustainability goes, ELSA AND ME works to create clothing that doesn’t rely on trends, meaning it wont all of a sudden be considered heinous and subsequently be waste. The textiles used are certified organic under SKAL and GOTS standards and are locally produced. Also, all of their apparel boxes are made with 100% recycled materials.

All that said, I’ll let the dress speak for itself. Here are some amazing ladies from all different industries making it their own.

So lovely and sophisticated! You can shop this dress at elsaandme.com.

XOXO,

Zanna

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We just found our new favorite Spring/Summer 2012 line in Feral Childe’s collection called The Aquaknots. This season delves into the ocean as an inspiration and as usual Feral Childe has created their own prints, which are fabulous. Why is this line so great, [...]]]>

We just found our new favorite Spring/Summer 2012 line in Feral Childe’s collection called The Aquaknots. This season delves into the ocean as an inspiration and as usual Feral Childe has created their own prints, which are fabulous. Why is this line so great, you ask (if you can’t already tell)? It’s a flawless combination of basics with a twist, meaning you’ll be able to seamlessly incorporate these pieces into your wardrobe for the next two seasons and beyond, but still hang on to that unique flair present in each individual garment. This is easy, and summer is all about easy, and Feral Childe is also all about easy in this collection, and that is perfect. 

Let’s talk the smaller prints for a hot second. From far away, they’re subtle and just look like some speckles, but close up you catch a glimpse of what could be jellyfish and a seahorse swimming along dresses and tops. The exaggerated floral prints are amazing here and incorporate so many wonderful colors that you can easily find a solid to match or even do some print mixing with any of the hues involved.

Let’s hold up for a moment – are there overalls? Well, sort of, and I am sort of loving them as a romper-overall combination with a peep hole back and button embellishments on the front. I’m thinking, pair these with the long blazer and you’ve got a fabulous casual night out look, or just wear them on their own for a breezy summer getup.

There’s something part hippie and part sea wench about the whole collection with loose-fitting dresses that tie at the waist or one of my favorites, the deep sea gray, button-front dress with shoulder embellishments. Couldn’t you picture these looks on a modern-day pirate ship? Yar!

There is so much goodness going on here, so I’ll stob babbling and let you feast your eyes. Go!

Check out the lookbook or their catalogue at feralchilde.com, for the full collection.

XOXO,

Zanna

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It’s springtime ladies and gents! The weather has become gorgeous — perfectly chilly in the morning and eve and delightfully warm during the day — and my wardrobe choices, and assumedly yours, are changing. One of my favorite shoe-types are slip-on: flats, ballet, slipper style, strappy, classic and so on. You name it, [...]]]>

It’s springtime ladies and gents! The weather has become gorgeous — perfectly chilly in the morning and eve and delightfully warm during the day — and my wardrobe choices, and assumedly yours, are changing. One of my favorite shoe-types are slip-on: flats, ballet, slipper style, strappy, classic and so on. You name it, I love them, because not only can you skip that whole loathed tying-your-shoes business, but you can also add pops of funk, color and swagger with zero effort to an otherwise basic ensemble. Here are ten, simply fabulous shoes that are all ethical and/or sustainable.

1. Super Earth Goods Camo Ballerina Flats, $93.56, Fashioning Change, 2. Melissa Campana Papel Shoe, $70, Karmaloop.com, 3. Olsenhaus Canvas Colored Flats, 4. Eva Nude Faux Patent Flat, $135, Beyond Skin, 5. Vintage Woven Flats, $29.10, Reanimated Rags via Etsy, 6. Vivienne Westwood by Melissa Wanting Flat, $97.16-119.95, Endless.com, 7. Ballerina Hepburn Flat, $299, Endless.com, 8. Vintage Salvatore Ferragamo Flats, $60, Couture Arabesque via Etsy, 9. Olsenhaus Striped Flats, 10. Cri de Coeur Bounce T-Strap Ballet Flat, $110, Endless.com

Happy Spring!

Zanna

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1. Reusable Glass Bottle, $15, Faucetface.com; 2. Burlesque Plate, £27.00, Dupenny.com; 3. Avinyó Messenger Bag, €58.00, Demano; 4. Kora Set of 2 [...]]]> From totally affordable to mucho moneyz, designer to artisan, organic to socially responsible, here are 5 things I discovered this week that I’m  IN LOVE WITH.

1. Reusable Glass Bottle, $15, Faucetface.com; 2. Burlesque Plate, £27.00, Dupenny.com; 3. Avinyó Messenger Bag, €58.00, Demano; 4. Kora Set of 2 Step Rings, $117, Shopbop.com; 5. Ethletic Low Top Sneaker, $50, Fashioning Change

Happy Friday!

Zanna

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Anyone in the mood for Spring, like these Von Trapps in their new upcycled curtain floral garments? Good, because it’s here! With the gorgeous week we’re experience here in New York City, it’s obviously time to pack those tights away and break out the spring and summer dresses! [...]]]>

Anyone in the mood for Spring, like these Von Trapps in their new upcycled curtain floral garments? Good, because it’s here! With the gorgeous week we’re experience here in New York City, it’s obviously time to pack those tights away and break out the spring and summer dresses! Goodie! Personally, I’m always in search of a great, easy frock to toss on and wear all day no matter what activity may arise. And isn’t there just something so appealing about deciding on one piece of clothing and then having your whole outfit figured out? Decisions-be-gone!

Here are ten perfect spring and summer dresses that are fun, flirty and of course, eco-friendly.

Koch, Inez Dress, $298, Future Standard

Stella McCartney, Skylark Pleated Bamboo Dress, $243.25, The Outnet

Dagg & Stacey, Hetty Dress, $132 Shopdaggandstacey.com

Rosel, Silk Terry Poncho Dress, $450, Free People

Love Me Again, Buttons Shirt Shift Dress, $62, Fashioning Change

Organic by John Patrick, Embroidered Dress, $520, Barneys New York

Curator, Pop Doyle Dress, $84, Arcadia Boutique

Kami Organic, V-Neck Colorblock Dress, $284, Yoox.com

H. Fredriksson, Fold Dress, $232, International Playground

Alternative Apparel, Eco Bermuda Maxi Dress, $68, Revolve Clothing

Happy warm weather!

Zanna

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I just came across a Malaysian label called We Are Ultra that has done something brilliant, in my opinion. As part of the sustainable fashion movement – which isn’t just about wearing organic, per se, but also about being sustainable in your daily life — they have created a line of clothing [...]]]>

I just came across a Malaysian label called We Are Ultra that has done something brilliant, in my opinion. As part of the sustainable fashion movement – which isn’t just about wearing organic, per se, but also about being sustainable in your daily life — they have created a line of clothing called ULTRA 10, that consists of ten pieces. And according to them, that’s all you should need. The brand started as a blog and grew into a label as they became more frustrated with the lack of action.

ULTRA won the 2011 Ethical Fashion Forum Innovation Award for their incredible creativity in producing eco-friendly garments that are multi-functional, stylish and wearable. With strategically placed zippers and other versatile elements, one piece can become four and a group of pieces can become tons of varying outfits.

Here’s a video illustrating the line. We love!

What do you think?

XOXO,

Zanna

Source: Fast Company

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While already a huge Stella McCartney fan, I have fallen even more in love with her designs with the arrival of her Spring Summer 2012 Eco-Friendly Sunglasses line. Stella has always express her passion for sustainability and we love seeing such a prominent designer bring it to [...]]]>

While already a huge Stella McCartney fan, I have fallen even more in love with her designs with the arrival of her Spring Summer 2012 Eco-Friendly Sunglasses line. Stella has always express her passion for sustainability and we love seeing such a prominent designer bring it to the masses. According to WWD, McCartney said, “The greatest challenge was the amount of time that was spent on research and testing to get the best quality product possible with the highest performance in terms of resistance, while still maintaining the style and finish we always try to achieve.”

It does sound like a ton of work went into figuring out formulas and materials that would allow her to do this. The sunglasses are made with over 50% natural and renewable materials. The collection uses bio-injected plastics, which are made with 54% percent castor seed oil, a renewable resource that helps limit petroleum use. Additionally Stella’s team has combined cellulose and natural platicizers derived from citric acid to create acetate plastic.

Here’s the rest of the collection:

Which pair is your favorite?

XOXO,

Zanna

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I’ll be honest. I have no ties whatsoever to St. Patrick’s Day. Sure I’m part Irish, maybe 25% or something, but I don’t have any plans for the big day. Howevah, green is my favorite color! So, while I felt some sort of obligation to do a post with green [...]]]>

I’ll be honest. I have no ties whatsoever to St. Patrick’s Day. Sure I’m part Irish, maybe 25% or something, but I don’t have any plans for the big day. Howevah, green is my favorite color! So, while I felt some sort of obligation to do a post with green things, I was also happy to! Above is a roundup of fashion awesome that is green in color and in conscience.

1. Blake Bag, $95, Matt and Nat; 2. Vintage 1960′s Crocheted Cape, $58, Fig Mint Vintage via Etsy; 3. Royal Blush Bracelet, $162, Yooxygen; 4. Sprout Watch, $75, Endless.com; 5. 70′s Runner Shorts, $80, Afia; 6. Vintage Prada Loafers, $168, Love and Squalor via Etsy

Have a great St. Patrick’s Day. Pour one on the curb for me!

Zanna

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