The search for attractive eco-basics

Every time start to throw away a plastic bag away, I think of the gigantic trash island in the middle of the Pacific, and feel bad. Sometimes I’ll put the bag in a pile to clean out and reuse, but usually I end up throwing  it away anyway.

I’m hardly an environmental crusader, but I am mindful about what I consume and lean towards vintage and ethically-friendly products, while (attempting to) veer from trendy, cheap items made with little hands.

That said, I also have a strong sense of my own aesthetic; I like what I like, and I’m not going to buy/wear a dowdy hemp dress just because it’s green.

I keep my eye out for cool items that are also fair trade and/or good for the environment. A couple of years ago, it seemed like everyone and their brother had a new line of environmentally-friendly clothing.  For a season, it was actually pretty easy to find stylish-yet-ethical outfit choices.

Colin Firth’s wife has been documenting  her own green challenge for British Vogue — wear eco-dresses through the entire awards season, which has inspired me to renew my search for  good looking fashion that just so happens to have an environmental impact.

1.) Mociun Tie Dress, $370
2.) Ultimate Organic Tee, $45
3.) Double K 007 Necklace, $110
4.) Loomstate Lover Boyfriend Straight Jeans in Deluca, $154
5.) Fair Trade Sneakers, $54.99
6.) Urban Renewal Flutter Short, $48
7.) Urban Renewal Chiffon Ruffle Blouse, $48

A day in Phoenix: Indie Shopper

10 a.m. Get up and throw something on. Wear something easy to get in and out of  (a dress and flip-flops?) , you’re going to be trying on clothes.

11 a.m. Head to Central and Camelback to Frances Vintage for a great accessories and gift selections. Some things you’ll find:  Cool, arty dresses and tops, vintage picks, handmade accessories, and eclectic home items.

Next door, stop into Stinkweeds, one of the best local music stores in town. Listen to the newest indie albums or peruse their flyers for upcoming shows and events.

One door down: Red Hot Robot. Get inspired by their collection of vinyl toys, books and other Japanese-inspired accessories.

Next up, get a mid-morning pick-me-up at Smeeks, the cute candy shop at the end of the row.

12:30 p.m. Head a mile or so down Central to Pane Bianco, of Bianco’s Pizzaria fame, for a delicious sandwich and a Bubble Up.

If you’re a sweetie person (like me), stop next door at Lux for a baked treat. My suggestion: Anything with chocolate and/or peanut butter.

1:30 p.m. A block or so down the road, check out Vintage Fashion, Inc.  for an amazing mix of designer vintage ranging from barely-affordable to not-so-much. Walk a few steps to Central Consignment next door for a brand names at discount prices.

2:00 p.m. More vintage. Head a few miles west to Hollywood Regency and peruse their selection of retro classic clothing for men and women.

Across the street: Retro Ranch for a funky collection of well-priced vintage fashions, furniture and home decor.

3:30 p.m. Stop off at Grand Ave. – home of vintage shop, Butter Toast.

Grab an iced tea next door at Paisley Violin and sit on the patio (October-May) or inside (June-Sept) and think about your purchases.

4:30 p.m. Downtown is a little sparse, but you can still check out some locally made items at
Bunky Boutique and Made.

Happy hour – You’ve been living la vida retro all day, stay in that mood with a martini from Durant’s. All it takes is one.

6:30 p.m. Take the 20-minute trip to Scottsdale. Work up an appetite trolling Scottsdale Fashion Square, home of some great high and low-end shopping.

For big spenders: Barney’s, Neiman Marcus, and Kate Spade.
For the spend-thrifts: Forever21, Charolette Russe and coming soon — H&M.

8 p.m. Depending on the damage you’ve incurred throughout your day, you might choose a less expensive dining option, like the home-style fare at Orange Table, or splurge a little at new (and much talked about) FnB for some gourmet fare.

Spring trends: Knee highs?

It’s been a long time since I’ve seen knee highs in regular circulation.

My mom used to have a bunch balled up in her drawer. She’d pull them out when she had the occasion to wear “slacks.”

I’ve spotted elderly women wearing knee highs with dresses or skirts as a hosiery substitute. Invariably they’ll bend over or heaven-forbid, sit down revealing reinforced elastic for all to see.

Now, however, that seems to be the point.

Last year when Jena Malone traipsed the red carpet in granny-chic, the response was shock and dismay. Yet this year on the Marni runway, knee highs were worn like knee socks. Flimsy, banded knee socks.

While I am a lover of  knee socks, I’m not sure if I’ll be able to get over the Grandma hurdle.

Anyone planning on sporting knee highs this spring?

Mondays without meat?

What’s Cracking Good — Meat Free Mondays (maybe?)

My husband and I have talked about going vegetarian for years,  but the idea of giving up our favorite ethnic food leaves us feeling both resentful and forlorn.

I’ve considered following the “If I can kill it, I can eat it” principle.

I already don’t eat a lot of pork or beef. How hard could it be to kill a chicken?

If you’ve watched a farmer shove a chicken in a metal cone and slit its throat in Food, Inc, you’ll see that it might not be so easy.

Go ahead, call me a hypocrite.  I’m sure if I had to kill my own food, I’d be a vegetarian. And considering I already have lactose issues — that would mean I’d have to be vegan. As someone who thoroughly enjoys food, that thought makes me very, very sad.

A while back, I received a GOOP email (yes, I subscribe to Gwyneth Paltrow’s GOOP email) which talked about  the dangers of the livestock industry and Paul McCartney’s group, Meat Free Monday.

One day a week. I could probably swing that. So I proposed it to my husband.
“Sure,” was his reply.

A day a week sans meat. We can do that.

For more info: MeatFreeMondays.com

Weekend deals

Free shipping on orders over $75 @ Urban Outfitters
Use coupon code SHIPIT at checkout to receive your discount. Ends Sunday at midnight.

10-12% off and free shipping & returns @ Boden
Shop Boden’s fun basics and get 12% off on Friday and 10% off on Saturday.

Butter Toast
It’s a spring blow out! Butter Toast will have $1-$3 pick-and-save bins and 30%-50% off select clothing items and accessories. Visit Friday from 11 a.m. -11 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.; Sunday 12-5 p.m.

20% off sweaters @ J. Crew
Ends Monday.

Nordstrom shoe sale

Clearance. Shoes. Nordstrom. Need I say more?  Here are some of my faves:

1.) Miz Mooz Sunset Pump, was $109.95, now $72.90
2.) Steve Madden Kookiee Flat, was $59.95, now $39.90
3.) Paul Green Eldorado Bootie, was $379, now $252.90
4.) Nike Eclipse Sneaker, was $65, now $42.90

Shopping Etsy: Fringe on top…and more

My post started this week with the Kiltie pumps below.

“Damn,” I thought, “fringe on a shoe is a good thing.” While I’m at it, how about on a bag? And I really like bangs, which my British friends refer to as fringe.

Thus, an entire post devoted to Etsy fringe. Enjoy.

1.) Leather Fringe Bag, $179
2.) Multi-strand Tassle, $28
3.) Native American Style Handbag, $24.50
4.) Fringe Necklace, $74
5.) Vintage Caramel Kiltie Pumps, $38
6.) Vintage Fringe Wrap Dress, $16
7.) Leather Moccasins with Fringe, $49.95
8.) Vintage 1970s Loafers, $32

The Love Me Not style

According to New Times, local band The Love Me Nots are auctioning some of their go-go boots,  swingin’ shifts and even equipment on eBay.

Get a retro-relic with bonafide rock ‘n roll cred starting at $.99.

My fave, this color block dress and matching go-go boots.

Really N.E.E.T.

Found this cool photo AND this stylish-yet-livable room in online magazine, N.E.E.T.

Seeing that it’s pimping a holiday gift guide, I’m likely late to this party.

But there’s a new one out now…

Spring trends: Floral tops

After a winter full of solid basics, I’m looking forward to adding a few feminine, floaty pieces into my rotation. A few I’m liking:

1.) Joie Leanne Blouse, $218
2.) Ditsy Floral Top, $78
3.) Angie Floral Chiffon Top, $29.50
4.) Dress Bouquet, $79.90
5.) Floral Print Top, $49
6.) Lucca Couture Floral Chiffon Top, $58