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.
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!
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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!
This puffer jacket is such a score! If you don’t know, most of the popular brand puffer jackets are filled with feathers. It’s not very animal-friendly and it is totally unnecessary. This one, however, is polyester-filled (which means it’s cruelty-free, YAY!), lined with fleece for extra warmth, comes in 6 colors, and is on sale right now under $50!!! I bought this to wear for our trip to Utah but I’ve already been wearing it non-stop here in Las Vegas. It’s lightweight but warm and you can still layer under it.
I also can’t stop wearing these Good American jeans. I’m seriously obsessed with this brand, the fit is so perfect. They stretch really well and fit every curve without being loose at the waist. If you haven’t tried Good American jeans, you’re missing out! They also look good on every body type and age. A friend of mine works at Nordstrom’s and sells these all day long; she says teenagers and older women alike buy these and they sell really well. Once you try them, you’ll see why they’re so popular. Don’t take my word for it, grab a pair!
Gift giving can be daunting, am I right? With the holidays right around the corner, you’ve probably already googled “gift ideas for mom” or “gift ideas for women” and most certainly “gift ideas for men” because they’re especially hard to shop for! What about that one person that doesn’t need anything or has everything?! Yep, I’ve been there too. Don’t worry, this year, I got you covered!
Are you ready to give gifts that are going to really resonate with your loved ones? Are you ready to give with intention? Are you ready to give a gift that will be remembered and cherished for many years to come? GOOD! This holiday gift guide is going to knock your socks off! Not only are these gift ideas awesome, but most of them also give back! Yep, they do good for others, meaning you’ll be feeding two birds with one scone. 😉
Holiday Gift Ideas | Books
Let’s start with books. I love gifting books because they’re the gift the keeps on giving. A single book can completely change someone’s life. Take, for example, Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn’s book, Prevent and Reverse Heart Disease. This information in this book can be used to reverse heart disease, but please, don’t take my word for it. Go read the 1,700+ reviews on Amazon where readers share their testimonies and lab results. This is some really powerful reading. I’ve been gifted many books over the years, everything from fiction, to non-fiction, to cookbooks, which I still use to this day. Cookbooks make life easier and I’ve loved collecting them since I was a kid. Here are some of my most recent favorites.
“The New York Times bestselling guide to the lifesaving diet that can both prevent and help reverse the effects of heart disease
Based on the groundbreaking results of his twenty-year nutritional study, Preventand Reverse Heart Disease by Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn illustrates that a plant-based, oil-free diet can not only prevent the progression of heart disease but can also reverse its effects. Dr. Esselstyn is an internationally known surgeon, researcher and former clinician at the Cleveland Clinic and a featured expert in the acclaimed documentary Forks Over Knives.Prevent and Reverse Heart Disease has helped thousands across the country, and is the book behind Bill Clinton’s life-changing vegan diet.”
“From the physician behind the wildly popular website Nutrition Facts, How Not to Die reveals the groundbreaking scientific evidence behind the only diet that can prevent and reverse many of the causes of disease-related death.”
“You can dramatically reduce your risk of cancer, heart disease, and diabetes just by changing your diet. More than 30 years ago, nutrition researcher T. Colin Campbell and his team at Cornell, in partnership with teams in China and England, embarked upon the China Study, the most comprehensive study ever undertaken of the relationship between diet and the risk of developing disease. What they found when combined with findings in Colin’s laboratory, opened their eyes to the dangers of a diet high in animal protein and the unparalleled health benefits of a whole foods, plant-based diet.”
“Bestselling author, longevity expert, and National Geographic Explorer Dan Buettner reports on health, fitness, diet, and aging, drawing on his research from extraordinarily long-lived communities–Blue Zones–around the globe.”
“In their debut cookbook, The Plantpower Way, Julie Piatt and her ultra-endurance athlete husband, Rich Roll, inspired thousands to embrace a plant-fueled lifestyle, and through their advocacy efforts, podcasts, and talks, countlesspeople are now enjoying healthier and more vibrant lives…Filled with the essential tips, tools, and mouth-watering recipes home cooks need to immersethemselves in the world of nut-based cheese-making, This Cheese is Nuts willdemonstrate why nut cheeses should be part of any healthy, sustainable diet.”
Journals are really trending right now and I’m predicting they will be one of 2019’s biggest trends. Gratitude journals, particularly, seem to be the most popular. Why is this? Well, it seems like this trend started with CEO’s and successful entrepreneurs; many of whom, speak about the power of practicing gratitude and being mindful of the things we have. This is a practice I’ve completely embraced in the last few months and I even started a #gratitudechallenge over on my Instagram. Exercising gratitude is easy and has the power to completely transform your life. I find that since starting this practice, I’m more mindful in more aspects of my life, I have a sunnier disposition, I handle “bad” situations better, I’m kinder to others, I’m nicer to myself, and I have a more positive outlook on life and the world around me. Here are some of my favorite journals.
Fifty percent (50%) of net profit from the sale of all Love Your Melon products is given to the Love Your Melon Fund to support our nonprofit partners in the fight against pediatric cancer, create therapeutic experiences and fund charitable programming initiatives for children and families battling cancer.
One Hope Wine partners with numerous nonprofits to help support causes that support animals, children, women, veterans, education, environment, and health. Partners include Pencils of Promise and Room to Read.
An oil diffuser is such a great gift to help your loved ones unwind and relax. This one is so simple to use, just fill the water cup to the line, add a few drops of essential oil, and push the start button. Not only is it super easy to use but the soft glowing light and vase design are so pretty; it makes a stylish addition to any room. It also doubles as a night light!
“This rich and generous cream contains seven ingredients sourced from our Sustainable Lush Fund projects that support regenerative agriculture around the world. With every purchase of Charity Pot, we donate 100% of the price (minus the taxes) to small grassroots organizations working in the areas of environmental conservation, animal welfare and human rights.”
This gift gives back. Krochet Kids creates life-changing jobs through the making of apparel and accessories. They also provide social impact programming that helps communities get out of poverty.
Each box plants 10 trees through Trees for the Future, promotes early detection of breast cancer through Keep A Breast, and empowers women with access to safe water through Water.org.
Fifty percent (50%) of net profit from the sale of all Love Your Melon products is given to the Love Your Melon Fund to support our nonprofit partners in the fight against pediatric cancer, create therapeutic experiences and fund charitable programming initiatives for children and families battling cancer.
This is a gift everyone needs. I’ve been using Amazon Prime for years but when Athena was born, we used it nearly every day. This was invaluable to us because it saved us from having to go out for every little thing I needed for ourselves, the house, the dog, and the baby. Every parent knows the hassle of packing up the baby for a “quick” trip to the store. There’s no such thing; every trip somehow turns into a 2-hour long journey. If you don’t know what to give someone, give them the gift of express delivery. Prime also comes with tons of free movies and tv shows as well as free audio books.
These rainbow sock are not only really cute, they also give back! Ruby’s Rainbows
“Ruby’s Rainbow is a nonprofit that grants scholarships to adults with Down syndrome who are seeking post-secondary education, enrichment or vocational classes, helping them achieve their dreams of higher education while spreading awareness of their capabilities.”
Naja offers lingerie and activewear. Their products are made by single mother and female heads of household. They pay above-market wages, provide healthcare, and support child educations with stipends.
These beautifully crafted pieces are made by artisans in India and Nepal. They come from rural areas, tribal villages, and urban slums looking for a chance to lift their families and communities out of poverty. Your purchase supports these artisans and their families for generations to come.
This necklace supports the Aleksander Fund by donating $12 for every I Have Done Love necklace sold. The Aleksander Fund is a scholarship to send a woman in need or who have suffered a loss to one of Jen Pastiloff’s healing retreats. It’s named after Julia Anderson’s baby boy who passed away in July 2016.
This is not your ordinary beauty box. These boxes are packed with high-end, vegan and cruelty-free makeup, perfumes, and beauty items. This is the perfect gift for anyone who loves animals as much as they love pampering themselves. Use code: GIFT NOW for 50% off your first box.
Fifty percent (50%) of net profit from the sale of all Love Your Melon products is given to the Love Your Melon Fund to support our nonprofit partners in the fight against pediatric cancer, create therapeutic experiences and fund charitable programming initiatives for children and families battling cancer.
This water bottle keeps your water cool for 24 hours and hot drink hot for 12 hours! It was created to reduce single-use plastic water bottles and is now the most popular water bottle on the market. S’well partners with UNICEF and other important charities to do great work.
This tee gives back. “Each year, millions of women and children are trafficked into sexual exploitation in India. Sudara Freedom Fund and the certified B-Corp, Sudara, are working to change this by providing hope and opportunity through living-wage jobs, skills training, and education. This change is possible because people like you are making donations to Sudara Freedom Fund and customers are purchasing Sudara goods.”
This gift gives back. Krochet Kids creates life-changing jobs through the making of apparel and accessories. They also provide social impact programming that helps communities get out of poverty.
