Chic Vegan

Fall is almost here and that means it is almost time for me to post gratuitous boot posts.  Every year it seems like more and more fashionable and sexy vegan boots are springing up on the market.  This is a good thing for my closet, and a bad thing for my wallet. But hey, it doesn’t hurt to look. Right? Right!

So lets have a brief sneak preview of some notable footwear for the colder months.

Olsen Haus

From left to right: Force, Innocence and Harmony. All made from recycled TV Screen Microfiber!
Check out the Fall ’10 Lookbook.

Cri De Coeur

Yes, I know I already covered this line, but seriously… look at those Dillon boots. From left to right: Ravishing Above-Knee Boot, Brilliance Platform Boot, and Dillon Over-Knee Wedge Boot.
All Fall ’10 shoes are ready for purchase.

Beyond Skin

For all you Euro- shoe lovers out there.. Beyond Skin has some sassy boots for the fall.  From left to right: Renee, Roxanne, and Romeo.

For those on a more realistic budget.. here are some affordable boots for your viewing pleasure.

Go Max, Shelby from LuLu’s. $56

Anne Michelle, Revenge Bootie from LuLu’s. $44

Boot from Vegan Chic. $48

Plaza Slouch Boot from Alternative Outfitters. $54

Wild Diva, Vernita Whicky from LuLu’s. $33

Hemet Boot from Bakers. $99

Cri de Coeur‘s New fall line is terribly exciting!  Not only are they introducing handbags, but their deliciously gorgeous shoes and bags are being made domestically in the US this year!

This frontier-chic inspired line features chunky boots with meticulous detail and wedge heels! The most exciting thing for me about the wedge heels is that you can look glamorous and stylish while being comfortable and not teeter-tottering all over the city. This is awesome since I walk a lot and find myself frequently opting for sneakers or boring flats. Below is the Charlie bag, Sara boots and Dillon boots (and faux fur).

The cowgirl-glam Lucy Tote! This is Cri de Coeur’s first line of bags and the start of a beautiful friendship between them and I.

The super fun Assymetrical Pump and the playful Jean Clogs both feature comfort and style.. a trend I hope catches on!

Next up is everyone’s favorite: The Heart of Darkness line. This line is filled with adorable, affordable shoes.  Although this is their economy line, every single pair of shoes is of the highest quality and completely gorgeous.

Shown below is the Brilliance Platform Boot, Glamour Velvet Pump,  Ravishing Over-Knee Boot, and Luster Peep-toe Pump.

Cri de Coeur’s FW2010 line will be available for purchase very soon! You can also check them out on the runway of the Veg Expo’s Vegan Fashion Show in Albany, NY!

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The flowers are blooming. The birds are signing. Your feet are… peeling, pasty calamities – unfortunate victims of the winter. That, my friends, is why spring is a time for rejuvenation. It is time to renew our minds, souls, and feet in the spirit of all things flowery and warm. Your mind is clear. Your breath is deep. Lets work on those feet.

Step One: Go get a manicure (or do your own at home). Get those puppies scrubbed, massaged, clipped, and moisturized until they feel as soft as a baby’s booty. Don’t forget to paint them a lovely shade of your choice using a vegan friendly polish such as E.L.F, or No Miss.

Step Two: Get some shoes to show off your sexy little piggies. (Cue Kelly.)

Olsen Haus – Shooting Star, $190
What is not to love about shiny pink gladiators?

Beyond Skin – Striped Serena Platform, $233
These cuties can be dressed up or down. And look HAWT with jeans.

Neuaura – Poppy Black, $109
Sophisticated. Rawr!

Cri De Coeur – Hannah Assymetric Sandal,  $280
Unique, beautiful and cruelty-free.

Are the above shoes not in your budget? (They are totally out of mine.) Never fear! There is an abundance of cheap, cute and leather-less shoes available just for you.

Ann Michelle Symphony ($32)
Hello, my Loves

Casie Cuffed Thong ($33)
For some strange reason, I’m totally into cuffed sandals at the moment.

Gladiator Wedge Sandals – Cynthia Vincent for Target ($29.99)
For the bad ass lady in all of us.

Easy Being Green Sandal ($39.99)
Like Cri De Coeur but without making your wallet cry.

image by Leolein

Get it? SPRING to your step? .. Anyway, sandals and open toed heels are filling all of your favorite stores and online boutiques with their refreshing, airy and super cute temptations. It seems like everywhere you turn this time of year, there is a blatant reminder of how cold it still is. Am I the only one who seriously considers wearing open toed espadrilles in the middle of March?

While we all secretly weep in longing of those strappy sandals and flowered dresses, lets buck up and simply just embrace the beauty that is warm weather shoes – even if we can’t squeeze our pale numb toes inside of them yet. (more…)

I have to admit, I hate winter.  I hate being cold. I hate the need to layer unflattering clothes until you become spherical. I hate the fact that it takes a huge cup of tea and a warm shower to even get me out of bed in the morning.

But there is one thing that I do like about this blustery season, and that is SNOW! For some reason winter in the Northeast this year is completely out of control. We have gotten more snow already than we typically get in one winter! I’m not really sure what it is that makes snow so magical. Maybe it reminds us of childhood. Maybe its the beauty of it or the way it’s soft silence hangs in the air. I mean, it makes even the grumpiest pooch a lighthearted puppy again. (Seriously, what is up with dog’s and snow?)

Whatever it is that makes it special, snow requires the appropriate play attire. Gloves, Scarfs, Jackets and most important of all.. BOOTS! Nice, warm boots that allow us to drop all of our frigid weather hang ups and just enjoy it!
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I have a confession to make. I love sparkly, shimmery, shiny stuff.  It gives me instant ADD. “Oh yes that report on the physics of a porcupine was quite….omigod sparkles!” Nothing is better than the satisfying shimmer of sequins, faux diamonds (or real, ethically produced ones), glass, beads, or even tin foil! I think most women were cats in other lives.

Be warned, you should never wear more than one sparkly accoutrement at one time. It just doesn’t work. You will break the fabric of time and the universe will grind to a halt – or something like that.  Most of all it is a serious assault on the eyes. We can only handle one glistening treat at a time!
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In the recent weeks I have heard many times about this mythical Lulu’s Fashion Lounge. About how they have tons of leather-free shoes for super cheap. About how said shoes oozed sex all over the dancefloor. However I scoffed at the idea of this – such things do not exist! Sexy vegan shoes are hit or miss, and those that provoke a “wow” are usually pretty hard on the wallet. They are most certainly not all located in one place! You have to spend days of research in a quest for the perfect pair. That is just how things work.

Eventually I moseyed on over to Lulus.com and BEHOLD – there they were! Dozens and dozens of inexpensive, totally hot, cruelty free kicks filled my monitor and also, my heart.  Suddenly, my palms got sweaty and I began to feel like Kelly on a rampage.

Lets get some shoes. (more…)

I am so incredibly overwhelmed with the amount of non-leather boots that are everywhere this year.  So overwhelmed in fact, that I am rejoicing by providing this mega-post to my little ethical fashionistas that love to sexify their winter wardrobe with hot heels! These boots range from cheap to expensive, casual to formal, office-friendly to funky. Boot love for everyone! Enjoy!

Oh My Darling Boots -ModCloth

Sportster Debbie Boots -ModCloth (more…)

The weather here on the east coast has drastically changed in the past two days. The humidity is gone. It is a nice breezy 70 degrees out. I could just roll around in the grass all day.  It is a nice change from the ultra humid 90 degree days we have been having.

All this niceness had gotten me to thinking about the fall and how much I enjoy fall fashion.  I love the cozy, laid back styles. And oh.. the layers. I love layers.  Here are some interesting ethical fall fashion related finds I have recently stumbled upon.

Olsen Haus does it again with their ultra funky fall line of shoes. Also check out their Fall 09 Lookbook.

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Buying handmade goods always makes me feel warm and fuzzy inside. Maybe its the support of the little guy, or the creativity and love poured into each piece. It could also be the comfort of knowing that what you are buying hasn’t been made in a hot, dangerous factory by children working 14 hour days. Perhaps you love the feeling that what you are wearing isn’t being worn by every other girl in the coffee shop.

Whatever your reason is for buying handmade, its good enough. You can almost feel the love pouring out of your monitor while browsing Etsy. Everything is so…personal.

On a recent Etsy binge I stumbled across some creators that I fell in love with and I hope you will too. Here is some stuff that might help you transition to the fall with great peace of mind.
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