D.O.I. (Daily Outfit Idea) Windy Laidback Day Option

I LOVE color. And I love patterns and textures, but sometimes too much is WAY too much. Which is why when I choose to wear a print, I pair it with all solids. Today I'm wearing some distressed flairs, my blue print top from express with a chunky sweater and my favorite red TOMs. On days like this, where it's warm enough to toss the jacket, but not quite warm enough to go completely sleeveless, I like to throw on big sweaters to keep cozy and still look put together. I'm also carrying my gold bag, but kept jewelery to a minimum. I give myself an A, but what do you think?

Just had to try: Butter London

 

$15 bucks for nail polish is pricey. $7 for a bottle of Essie used to be a splurge for me, but after reading some reviews on Butter London's polishes, I had to order some via amazon to try it out. Butter London is not anything new, and the company has been promoting itself as the 3 Free Nail Lacquer, meaning it's free of Formaldehyde, Toluena and DBP and any other carcinogens. Nice! 

The only thing I don't really LOVE is that their selection is mostly neutrals, and I love to partake in some mint candy apple and punchy pink by Essie every now & then (more now, than then...) 

It doesn't last much longer than any other polish I've tried, but I did enjoy the fact that the "cream tea" color dried to an opaque white, without the look and feel of having white out on my nails.

"Rosie Lee" is a fun glittery hue, but like most glitter polishes I own, take forever and a day to take off, even with pure acetone, which kind of defeats the purpose of buying polish free of carcinogens. (Right?)

Bottom line: It was nice to try, but if I'm going to throw $30 on nail polish, I'll get a bunch of Essies instead of two bottles of Butter London.  

Why you should trade your neutral bag in for a metallic this season.

For the last two years I've searched for the perfect gold bag, and this time I think I've found it. It's an over-sized satchel by Kate Spade and I personally think it is lovely.

Metallic bags aren't exactly a new trend, I feel like every summer season they say the same type of trends are in. Ie. wedges, metallic sandals and bags, neon nails. Am incorrect? 

I don't strive to be *trendy* but when I see something I like, I try to make it work. 

IN my opinion, metallics are just as classic as your neutral browns and blacks now. The reason being, they can work in any season, especially during the winter and summer. Bronze is beautiful for fall while gold and silver make amazing statement pieces during every other time of the year. 


I decided about a year ago that gold is my color. I'm fair skinned and have light blonde highlights in my already dark blonde hair, so silver tends to be washed out unless I'm wearing dark colors, but gold picks up the highlights in my hair and contrasts with my blue eyes. 


What's your metallic color?

Alicia Accessories

Website: Alicia Accessories



First of all, of course I love this website because it has the best name ever. My guess is that most people named Alicia are just amazingly put together and have impeccable taste in style. Which is why it's my name <3.


This adorable website was created and is maintained by Anna Alicia, an art history major from London. Her jewelry is made from all sustainable materials; ceramic beads and colored ribbon. They are just gorgeous and so different looking. I can't wait to order one of her pieces to dress up some of my casual wear. 

Sustainable Fashion Challenge

I'm still going strong through lent, and yet I already know what my next fashion challenge will be. The last 2 years or so I have become increasingly interested in eco-fashion, or fashion that gives back. There are a few companies that have become somewhat mainstream (like my friends TOMs and the FEED project) but there are many companies on the internet that support sustainable fashion. 


The price we pay for fashion is not always the "quality" of the items we buy. Most designers use high quality material and pride themselves on handmade craftsmanship, but the crafts men behind this do not always receive the payment they deserve. Sustainable brands not only take these people into consideration, but their products are created with the idea in mind that the item leaves the smallest environmental impact possible. 


The point is to reduce our carbon footprint, use organic fabrics that have the ability to be recycled again and again when we are done with them, and overall help to mend this planet and keep it healthy for younger generations. 


I'm not perfect, and I love my designer stuff, but it's important to remember that this is our home, our children's home and later, their children. It's the only one we've got. Every step we take to becoming more sustainable will help a little more. 

FEED at American Eagle

If you want to look trendy, but also give back a bit you might want to look into FEED. A co-worker of mine (the same that introduced me to TOM Shoes) told me about the company around December, but I had never purchased anything from them (other than a pretty cool t-shirt for his Christmas gift.) 


I happened to be in the American Eagle in Union Square with the brilliant Heather Furlow and came across these beautiful tote bags by FEED. 

I love color, so I was instantly struck by the vivid patterns. The fabric of the multi-color bag is similar to a twill or burlap, while the blue teal bag is more of a linen. The fabric is durable and seems like it could hold most of my text books. This would be a very nice little work bag and is a genuinely beautiful way to give back through fashion. You can click on the pictures to get to the American Eagle website in order to purchase one of these babies.

The FEED project was founded by Lauren Bush, and now helped run by Kristina Fell, and Katy Wanserski. You can find out more about the project (as well as buy some pretty cool bags and accessories) at Feedprojects.com. 

Save the Whales! More jewelry supporting great animals!

This is one of several pieces that Fantasy Jewelry box has developed to help support the Sea Conservation Society .


As you all know I love jewelry, animals and charities! Below I've supplied the text from the website, links to their varying pieces and pictures. Part of the proceeds DO go to support the conservation and of course, makes for an amazing conversation piece. Click on the pictures to follow the link to where you can buy these fine products!


"How cute is this cz dolphin necklace? We love how whimsical and charming nature inspired jewelry can be. What's great about this necklace is that it is a part of our Sea Shepherds Conservation Society jewelry collection. The Sea Shepherd's Sea Conservation Society is dedicated to protecting aquatic wildlife, raising awareness about illegal poaching and also on how we can combat this crime. Fantasy Jewelry Box has always been a long time supporter of animal charities and this is just one of many pieces where we will be donating a portion of proceeds to its respective non-profit organization. Show your support just by wearing this gorgeous cubic zirconia necklace."