Hawaii (Kauai) Vacation Outfits: Flowy Tunic With Shorts & Gladiator Sandals

TOP: Free People (so soft and flowy!)| SHORTS: Revolve | SANDALS: Charlotte Russe (similar here & here) | PURSE: Amazon (Chloe Marcie bag dupe!) | PURSE SCARF: Free People        SUNGLASSES: Karen Walker  | EARRINGS: Forever21 ($7!!!)

Greetings from Hawaii!!! I’ve been meaning to publish like 5 different posts but this trip had me losing my mind. We were scrambling to get ready for it, so much so that we ended up leaving 5 days later than we originally planned because we weren’t ready when we were supposed to be, lol. Anyway, we’ve been having the best time here in Kauai. We’re on the smallest and greenest island of Hawaii, it’s also known as the Garden Island. It’s SO green and lush with flowers! Some of you said in my IG DM’s that this place reminded you of Jurassic Park, which is funny because that movie was filmed here! The weather has been perfect, we’ve been eating smoothie bowls every day and playing on the beaches. I feel just like I did last time, I don’t want to leave, lol. We’re here a total of 10 days so let’s see how I feel on day 9.

Athena has been splashing her little heart out. She LOVES the water! She really is such a water baby, just like her birth sign, Pisces. Every morning she wakes up and says, “Let’s eat ice cream!”, that’s what she calls smoothie bowls. Then after breakfast, she’ll say, “Let’s go beach! I build sand castle!” Lol. I love how much she loves it here and how happy she is. I thought she’d be scared of the water but no, she just gets right and walks all around, lol. Kauai is so family friendly; I’ve seen more families with babies/toddlers and pregnant women than I can count. If you’re thinking of taking your family to Hawaii, consider coming to Kauaii and stay on the south shore in Poipu, it has the most kid-friendly beaches with shallow, calm waters.

You guys, I’ve gotten so many compliments on this top and these earrings. My top is super soft, lightweight, flowy, and perfect for spring/summer. It definitely has a vacation feel, however, when I first tried it on I was wearing jeans and black over the knee boots and it looked really cute that way too. So It’s a versatile piece; which, by the way, I try to only buy pieces that can be worn and styled at least 3 different ways. Versatile pieces are my fave because I love the challenge of wearing something in a totally different way than last time and I want pieces that I will have for a long time that can be worn in most or all seasons.

These gold palm leaf earrings are such an eye-catching piece and they’re only $7!!! I also have to tell you about this purse scarf, which you can’t really see but it’s super pretty and chic. It’s actually a scarf pony! If you’ve been living under a rock and haven’t noticed these are trending like crazy right now, let me tell you all about them. This is a scrunchie with a scarf that ties onto the scrunchie part so you can wear it different ways, just the scrunchie alone, just the scarf, or with the crunchie and the scarf together. Also, you can take the scarf part off and tie it around your purse or a hat or anything you like. Another super versatile piece that I’m obsessed with!

Ok, this is a long post and it’s 10 pm here so I’ll wrap it up from today. Leave your questions or comments below!!!

Oh! One last thing, if you missed my IG stories, Charlotte Russe is going out of business and these sandals are on clearance for $15! I can’t find the link but if you have a store near you, go grab a pair. They also come in black and they’re true to size. I linked similar pairs above.

Cozy Casual Chic Weekend Style With Over The Knee Boots

Top: GAP (similar here) | Sweater: Topshop | Jeans: Good American | Boots: Steve Madden (sold out, similar here)  Bag: Topshop (sold out, similar here) | Sunglasses: Nordstrom (sold out, similar here)

Feeling so casual, cozy, and chic in this look. This sweater is seriously my favorite, it’s such a versatile piece. I styled it with leopard print pumps and a midi skirt in the last post, which you can see here. I also styled it in a gray monochrome look, which you can see here. Lastly, I also paired this same sweater with my favorite ripped jeans and canvas espadrille platforms for a super easy and casual look, which you can see on my Instagram here. If you’re looking for a super cozy, warm yet lightweight sweater, that’s also wool-free, look no further. This is the one you need, just click that link above and get cozy already!

 

 

 

 

 

Midi Skirt & Leopard Print Look + The Trick to Wearing Anything & Everything Well

Sweater: Topshop (similar here) | Skirt: James Perse | Shoes: Miss Lola (similar here)

Bag: DSW | Beret: Charlotte Russe (similar here & here)

I love a good leopard print piece. While my beret has been sold out, I linked two other similar options that are also cruelty-free and wool-free. I love styling berets because they’re such fun pieces and it takes me back to my time in France. This is really such an easy piece to wear; the main thing you need to remember about styling a beret is wearing it with confidence. Actually, that’s the trick to wearing most things, really.

Think about when you see a model strutting down the runway in her stilettos, her hair whisked back by the force of her body confidently cutting through the air. She looks cool, confident, and pretty much fearless. Now think about a girl wobbling in her heels as she walks down the street, uncertain whether or not she’ll make it to the next step or fall flat on her face. I’ve seen a lot of the former here in Las Vegas on the strip late at night as girls try their best to keep going in their heels even though they’re clearly in pain. I digress, but if that’s ever been you, girl, take your heels off and walk tall.

Did you know a lot of those models on the runway often wear shoes that are a size or two too small for their feet? Yep. Yet, they still walk with such unbelievable confidence because that’s what sells the look. So, next time you’re unsure about how to wear something just remember to wear it with confidence and be your stylish little self.

I can’t end this post without mentioning this chain link satchel. It’s made of faux leather and it’s the most gorgeous shade of cognac. I’ve been showing it on my Instagram feed and stories and so many of you saved it and some of you even purchased it, yay! It comes in three colors and it’s a really versatile piece. Also, the quality of this vegan leather is amazing.  Both the top handle and the cross body strap are detachable. I love the hardware on it too, it’s got such a good weight to it so it feels more high-end than it’s $50 price point. It comes in three colors: cognac, black, and bone.

Designer Dupes | Vegan Versions of All Your Favorite Designer Handbags

Hi guys! At your request, I put together this designer dupes handbags post for your viewing and shopping pleasure, simply click on the handbag name to shop it. I’m including links to both the designer items as well as the dupes so that you can better compare both items if need be.

That said, the whole point of this post is to show you two things. Number one that you don’t need to spend thousands of dollars or even hundreds to buy cute & stylish handbags. Number two that there is absolutely no need to use animals for accessories. Your style can be cute and cruelty-free simultaneously.

One last thing before we get to the post, have you seen the news about Vegan Fashion Week?! It’s so neat! It starts today in Los Angeles and it’s the first ever Fashion Week that’s 100% Vegan! I can’t wait to see all the gorgeous vegan accessories and clothing that’ll come out of this show!

I’ll be sharing more vegan brands soon but in the meantime, make sure you sign up for the blog newsletter to get new post notifications, exclusive content, and be automatically entered to fun giveaways!

Chanel “Boy” Bag $5,600

Chanel ” Boy” Dupe $21 via Amazon

I’ve had my Chanel Boy Bag dupe for a little over 2 years now and it’s still in great shape. I thought, given the price point, that this bag was going to fall apart after a few months but it’s held up very nicely. I used it for two of my recent outfits. See how I styled my Chanel Boy Bag dupe with pops of red here, with leopard print here, and with camouflage here.

Chloe Faye Shoulder Bag $2,000

Chloe Faye Shoulder Bag Dupe $33

Chanel Classic Handbag  $5,600

Chanel Classic Handbag Dupe $27 via Amazon

Chanel 2.55 Handbag $5,600

Chanel 2.55 Handbag Dupe $50

Valentino Rockstud Shoulder Bag $2,200

Valentino Rockstud Shoulder Bag Dupe $40

Yuzefi Delila Crossbody $479

Yuzefi Delila Crossbody Dupe in cognac $50

Yuzefi Delila Crossbody Dupe in White $35

Chloe “Marcie” Suede Tote $2,350

Chloe “Marcie” Suede Tote Dupe $40

Saint Laurent LouLou Matelasse Shopping Tote $2,550

Saint Laurent LouLou Matelasse Shopping Tote Dupe $50

Chloe Mini “Faye” Shoulder Bag $747

Chloe Mini “Faye” Shoulder Bag Dupe $26

Gucci Soho Disco Bag $1,200

Gucci Soho Disco Bag Dupe $25 via DSW

Here’s another Gucci Soho Disco Bag Dupe in quilted chevron stripe $29 via DSW

Cult Gaia Ark Bag $168

Cult Gaia Ark Bag Dupe $44

See how I styled my Cult Gaia Ark Bag dupe with a dress here and with jeans here.

You guys, there are SO many designer dupes out there. I’m planning to do a couple more of these posts, if you all want to see them. Let me know by leaving a comment here or over on my Instagram.  Let me know what you thought of this post, or what else you’d want to see in these kinds of posts. I hope this post helps illuminate those that think vegan handbags and accessories are dull and boring. I’m also going to be sharing some awesome vegan brands that offer gorgeous pieces across all style categories, so stay tuned for that. Let me know what you thought about this post or if you have any categories you’d like me to cover for next time. I love hearing and seeing all of your feedback!

How to Wear a Rancher Hat

 

Top: Anthropologie | Coat: Calvin Klein (similar) | Jeans: Good American | Hat: Anthropologie

Bag: Topshop (similar here & here)

Hats can really pull a look together and make it look complete. However, they can be intimidating to wear. Knowing which hat styles work best for you is a big part of wearing a hat well. Fit is also key in making sure your hat compliments you; an ill fitting hat can detract from your look.

Today, let’s talk about one hat style that anyone can wear. I’m talking about rancher hats. This style compliments any face shape and is available in various brim sizes. If you’re new to hats and aren’t sure how to wear a rancher hat, stick with a medium brim. A wider brim rancher hat may end up wearing you and a smaller brim can look more like a fedora and will make your look too hipster.

Rancher hats are typically made of wool which limits its wearability to only fall and winter. You can get more use out of your hat by opting for one made of a cotton/polyester blend, like this one. Wool hats are warmer but the cotton/polyester blend still keep in quite a good amount of heat but also breath better during the warmer seasons allowing you to get more use out of your hat.

Now, let’s talk about how to style a rancher hat. If you’re not sure how to style your hat, play it safe. For this look I went with an all black outfit and use my coat and accesories to add more dimension to my look. The color of my hat ties into the tone of my coat and purse, pulling the whole look together and drawing the eye upwards, thus giving me a taller, leaner look.

The neutral tone of this hat pairs well with the tone of my faux-shearling winter coat and because of it’s lightweight, woven material, it will pair equally as nicely with a maxi dress and sandals in the spring or summer. As for fit, the inner band should fit snug around your head but not tight. If you can’t tell whether your hat is just snug or tight, try the one finger trick. You should be able to fit one finger comfortably between your head and the band.

I also wore this hat as part of a more monochrome look, click here to take a look.

Guest Post: Diana Edelman Founder of Vegans, Baby Shares 10 Las Vegas Spots with Amazing Vegan Food

Las Vegas is on fire with vegan options. Recently,  the city was ranked 10th in the nation (let that sink in for a moment, since in 2016 there were less than a handful of all-vegan restaurants) for being vegan- and vegetarian-friendly.

If you’re looking for a place to dine and enjoy amazing vegan offerings, the options are abundant.

It’s my job to go out and try all the vegan food in town, and I get asked all of the time where to eat out. These are some of my top picks, based on nearly three years of eating out for Vegans, Baby, which is proud to provide the city’s only comprehensive guide for vegan- and vegan-friendly dining (and more) in Las Vegas.

Want more vegan options? Check out the Las Vegas Vegan Dining Guide, loaded with the best vegan food in the city with nearly 100 suggestions for where to find all of the amazing eats in town.

VegeNation: Any visit to Las Vegas needs to include VegeNation. With two locations in town (Downtown and the ‘burbs) their global street food and rotating seasonal menu is super popular with the locals. Be sure to try their mac and cheese pizza or their Chicky Chicky Bang Bang, a spicy chicken sandwich.

The Modern Vegan: Opened in March 2018 and leading the charge for vegan restaurants opening this year, The Modern Vegan’s menu boasts a whopping 100+ dishes. Their specialty is comfort food, so be sure to order the corn dogs or Louisiana Fried Chicken. And, save room for dessert. Closed Monday – Tuesday.

Violette’s Vegan Organic Cafe & Juice Bar: This fun and hippie restaurant off-Strip focuses on organic comfort food and veganized food like nachos, mac and cheese, sandwiches, burgers and more. For healthier options, check out their juices, smoothies or bowls.

Go Vegan: This gluten-free restaurant is all about natural eating — their menu is heavy on the raw and healthy. Head there for breakfast and treat yourself to the breakfast platter with tofu scramble or omelette, gluten-free muffin and more.

Simply Pure: Located in Downtown’s Container Park, Chef Stacey Dougan’s Simply Pure serves both raw and cooked goodness, including their famous lasagna with tofu ricotta (this meal is a must). It even comes in a gluten-free version.

Tacotarian: Vegan Mexican food at Tacotarian will have you doing a happy dance. With more than a dozen tacos to choose from, the vegan restaurant also serves up traditional Mexican eats and fun dishes like Taki-covered elote and Frito pie.

Chef Kenny’s Asian Vegan Restaurant: Chef Kenny Chye’s restaurant is your go-to for Asian cuisine in Vegas. His sushi is incredible and lets you indulge in rolls you’d never thought you’d have again, like the Rainbow Roll. Bonus: the orange chicken is gonna fool your omni friends.

Blinders Burgers & Brunch: This northwest Las Vegas restaurant is all-vegan and offers a variety of creative burgers. Choose your patty — veggie, Beyond or Impossible — and then order up what suits your fancy. They also offer a weekend brunch that includes pancakes with crispy Herbivorous Butcher bacon.

Good Pie: Craving pizza? Head to Good Pie. Las Vegas doesn’t have its own vegan pizza spot, yet, but this is a must. The Detroit deep dish, gluten-free (yes, you read that right) is the stuff dreams are made of.

Beauty & Essex: If you’re looking for a high-end restaurant on The Strip, Beauty & Essex fits the bill. Perfect for vegans and omnis, this dining experience comes complete with eats like herb crusted tempeh, flatbread and desserts that will blow your mind.

Want even more vegan restaurants? Here’s a guide to all of the vegan restaurants in Las Vegas.

–Diana Edelman is the founder of Vegans, Baby which aims to make being vegan easier around the world. She also is the author of the Las Vegas Vegan Food Guide, founder of Las Vegas’ vegan dining month — Veganuary Las Vegas, and runs the Vegans, Baby Vegan Food Tours. Follow Vegans, Baby on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest, find out where to shop for vegan goods in Las Vegas on Instagram, and stay up-to-date on Diana’s projects on her Instagram.

Everyday Style With Camouflage Print

Top: Sanctuary | Jacket: Love Tree (similar) | Jeans: Good American | Shoes: Charlotte Russe (similar) | Purse: Amazon (similar here & here) | Sunglasses: Quay | Earrings: Nadri | Bracelet: Nordstrom Rack | Watch: Citizen

Marc always jokes, “where did you go?!” as he gazes right past me whenever I show up wearing camouflage print. I roll my eyes, and he laughs at his joke. I have to confess; I have an obsession with camouflage print. #sorrynotsorry I mean, it’s just so easy to wear and such a versatile print for being so distinct. I wish you could see this shirt up close, it’s made of 2 lightweight breathable layers. It’s one of those transitional pieces that can be worn all year long because the material is light enough for spring/summer but thick enough for layering during fall and winter. This top is a great piece to wear open over a dress and booties during summertime.

I FINALLY found a fantastic pair of true black jeans that don’t fade and have the perfect amount of stretch! Ugh, I’ve been searching for so long. It’s tough to explain how big of a deal these jeans are so let me share a list of everything I was looking for in a single pair of jeans.

Jeanette’s black jeans list of requirements:

  • true black
  • tapered ankles
  • perfect amount of stretch
  • good fit through the hips, thighs & calves
  • front pockets (a lot of black jeans have faux pockets)
  • must be actual jeans (not denim leggings)
  • snug fitting waist (no gap, when I sit)
  • ample room in the back (aka doesn’t squish my butt)
  • won’t fade after the first wash (or after the 20th)
  • won’t stretch out after an hour of wear
  • won’t sag
  • under $150

I think you can agree, that’s a long list. These hit every mark, and I’m obsessed! If you’re new to the Good American brand, make sure to size down at least one size (possibly 2), they run big.

Lastly, I have to mention my accessories really quick. I get so many compliments on these crawler earrings and so many questions on these sunglasses. I linked both exact pairs. The earrings are my go-to pair; they go with everything. They look very high end but are only $40 and plated in 18k gold. These Quay sunglasses are also a go-to; I wear them literally every single day. The squared oversized look pairs well with dressier, glam looks but the thin, matte frame makes them perfect for casual, everyday wear. My purse is a Chanel dupe and is made of vegan leather. It’s only $21! I linked this exact one and a few other similar ones up above.

Casual Gray Monochrome Look With a Hint of Brown

Sweater: Topshop | Jeans: GAP (similar) | Shoes: Steve Madden | Hat: Anthropologie

Tote: Steve Madden (similar) | Watch: Citizen

Did you know there are tons of vegan leather handbags available from mainstream designers? My tote bag is from Steve Madden! This one is sold out but I linked a similar one. I’m so happy to see so many vegan fashion brands popping up all over the world. However, they’re still a bit difficult to find, especially if you don’t know where to look. I’m going to be introducing a whole lot of these brands here soon but in the meantime, you can find lots of vegan handbags and faux leather shoes from brands like Steve Madden and Forever 21. Even Topshop has cute vegan pieces. My sweater looks like it’s wool and it’s super warm but it’s 100% wool-free, which means it’s also cruelty-free, yay! Let me know in the comments what vegan and cruelty-free pieces you’d like to see and I’ll add them to my list to share soon. Also, make sure to sign up for my newsletter for updates on fresh new vegan fashion brands and giveaways!

Leopard Print Faux Fur Coat

 

Coat: Kensie (similar here, here & here) | Top: H&M (similar) | Jeans: Gap (similar) | Shoes: Miss Lola (similar here) | Bag: Amazon (similar here & here)

If you haven’t already heard, animal prints are going to be a BIG trend for Spring 2019. We’ve already seen a lot of animal print, mostly leopard, carrying over from fall of 2018 but it’s going to be even bigger and better come spring. I absolutely love animal prints so I can’t wait to really get crazy with it come spring. My leopard coat sold out during Norstrom’s anniversary sale last July but I linked a couple similar ones above.

Cruelty-Free & Vegan Skincare Winter Essentials

Pacifica Face Wash | Dermae Nourishing Shampoo | Acure Marula Oil

 Acure Face Scrub | 365 Body Lotion 

Winter can really do a number on your skin. Living in the Las Vegas desert is especially troublesome this time of year. Luckily, I’ve got these beauties to keep my skin and hair clean, moisturized, and healthy. If you’ve been looking for a vegan cruelty-free face wash, you have to try Pacifica’s Rose Kombucha facewash. It gently clears away dirt and makeup without drying out your skin. Plus, it smells AMAZING! It should really be called “1,000 roses face wash” because that’s what a smells like. It reminds me of walking through a rose garden on a mild summer day. 🙂

This face scrub is my absolute favorite scrub. I use it year round but more so during the winter. It really helps keep my skin smooth and soft. Tip: leave it on for a few minutes to let the French clay really work. French clay is great for revitalizing skin, calming redness, and removing impurities & bacteria.

If you follow me on Instagram, you’ll have seen me use the marula oil in my stories. I use it very often on my hair. Take one pump of this marula oil, rub it between your hands for a few seconds to heat it up and work it through your hair starting at the ends and stopping about 6 inches from the roots. During days when I don’t have time to wash my hair, I use a little dry shampoo and this marula oil to give my hair a healthy bounce and shine.

I can’t recommend these products enough, they all work really well, are vegan and cruelty-free, are made of high-quality ingredients, and are (except the marula oil) under $10!