Snow fall means snow boots

I've been avoiding buying snow boots for the entirety of my adult existence. With last weeks' huge storm dropping 23.2 inches in Philadelphia, it became painfully obvious that I need to purchase snow boots if I'm going to last the winter. After all it is only December! High top sneakers were just not cutting it, and wearing plastic baggies over my socks, although frugal, was just not fashionable.
The solution? Rubber Duck snow joggers.Can't afford $100 on snow boots? Check out their outlet section on the web site. Prices for last season's snow booots have been slashed in half. What a bargain. What else is so great about Rubber Duck? Cruelty free footwear for the snow bunny in all of us.

Give yourself warm cozy feet. They get enough abuse as it is.

TOMS Shoes

I'm loving these vegan-friendly fall boots from TOMS! Check out their site for other vegan options. Look sharp, live vegan.

TOMS Shoes

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All about the 80's

I'm all about the 80's and 90's house music lately. Can't get enough. I'm not embarrassed about it either. Last night I downloaded Crystal Water's Gypsy Woman (She's Homeless) and cannot stop listening to it. Ce Ce Peniston, KLF and Black Box are making a comeback, and I am totally digging it.
Another very 80's thing I'm obsessed with is neon, so I was more-than pleased when I opened the new Victoria's Secret catalog and saw neon tank tops. I snagged one in day-glow yellow. They make dresses and tops too! Warning: don't wear if you are trying to lay low.
Also really into Roseanne re-runs.

One thing that isn't cool and please God don't let it catch on: Neon scrunchies from American Apparel. Not cool. Scrunchies were never cool. I want to say "Run for the Hills", but in the hills they are still wearing the original scrunchie. I fear this scrunchie implosion as much as Uggs.
Say no to the scrunchie!

Karl the Teddy Bear

My fashion roots don't run as deep as they did a year or two ago, but that doesn't stop me hearing the latest news about Karl Lagerfeld. If you know me well, you know that he gives me the creeps. Steiff, A German teddy bear company has released a limited-edition Karl Lagerfeld teddy bear running oh, a measly 1500 dollars. Have you hugged your freaky-looking Karl Lagerfeld teddy bear today? Do I want one? you bet.
What's next, a Michael Jackson bear? Liz Taylor? Let's make Teddy Bears out of all the freaks of the fashion world.

Product Nods

There are so many things in the world right now that make me angry that for the time being I'm going to give a couple of vegan-centric product nods that make me happy instead of analyzing the evil ways of the world.
I've long-been of the notion to purchase cruelty-free products, products that promote a like-minded consciousness and products that aren't produced and shelved by The Man. For example, I stopped shopping at Target, because I really don't need all that stuff made by poor, exploited Chinese workers, and if I do, somewhere in my neighborhood probably has something better, produced locally. I'm lucky enough to be in a central neighborhood with thriving independent delis, hardware stores, used book shops and cute, local gift stores all within walking distance.
My boyfriend recently came home with dish soap made by Ivory, aka Procter and Gamble and it got me thinking why we don't stop to read our labels more carefully. Even our neighborhood grocer stocks products that are conscious. I quickly switched out that nasty ole Ivory for some Method soap, which doesn't test on animals. I know we can all make that hasty choice and small mistakes, but if we just remind ourselves to think about the choices and take that extra minute to scan the label, then we are happier all along.
Recently I stopped into Duross and Langel on 13th St. in Philadelphia to pick up a bar of soap, instead of going to Whole Foods to get my normal glycerin bar. This store is usually a treat for me or my first stop for gifts. All the soaps are handmade using fine ingredients, they have a large selection of men's skin care and fun bath toys! While I spent more than I would have normally, I feel great about my purchase because I supported a local business that also supports veganism and I had fun doing it. This store is like a candy shop for adults. Read the labels carefully, because some items may contain goats milk, but all vegan bars are labelled vegan. They also host workshops which I would love to do, but where will I find the time? Shop away, I love their soap, and they are always stocking up with new crazy combinations. Soaps make great gifts and this stuff beats pricey Lush if you ask me. They always include free samples with every purchase, and this time, the mojito soap really gets me moving in the morning. I can't wait to try the new exfoliating bar chock-full of sesame seeds and nuts to really get my face clean and smooth. You can't get this stuff at your local grocery store.
Another place I like to check up on from time to time is Sick on Sin, a Toronto-based company that sells really cute T-shirts, pins and magnets, many vegan-centric. Check it out, they are having a sale! I ran into this girl Jen, last year at the Toronto Vegetarian Festival and purchased a witty t-shirt that supports veganism, (see above logo.) She also stocks aprons which make a great gift for that vegan chef in your life. I bought one with an anti-steak logo for mine, but you have to ask. I also love her magnets and not all have to do with vegetarianism, some are just plain cute, make great gifts for kids or teens. I recently bought my 11 year-old niece a bunch of stuff from this site and while it would have pleased me tons to be the recipient, she was all smiles! But seriously, a "flesh is for zombies" pin? Bring it on!
Lastly on my list of recent purchase, which I'm kind of embarrassed about, is a fanny-pack! Yep, in case you haven't heard the fanny pack is making a comeback. Sometimes I don't want to carry a bag and I don't want bulky pockets. No I don't look like a dorky, lost tourist. I ride my bike often and I can't think of a more convenient way to carry my crap. I bought a cute one from Jansport ($9.99) at I Goldberg. I could have gone a more eco-route and bought something made of natural fibers, but quite frankly they all look frumpy and if there's any quality I'm looking for in a fanny-pack, it is certainly not frumpiness.
Well there you go, some shopping tips for the week that won't inspire guilt. Support local shops, it'll make you feel good.

hot tranny mess

This morning, on my way to work, I was behind a transvestite ( or transsexual, I never know the correct usage) But anyway she was dressed just like those women from the polygamist cult in Texas. No joke. Baby blue dress with tight bodice, puffy sleeves and a full skirt. Weird. Had to share. Polygamist fashion, a new trend, who knew?

social tagging, abbreviations and identity

Today I saw two MGB's walking down the street.

Let's break it down: M= Male G=Gay B=Blipster.

What is a Blipster? A blipster is a black hipster. I did not make this up; last year the New York Times published an article on blipsters in Brooklyn.

I used to think that hipsters were fashionable artists, but the term has evolved to encompass all that is trendy today, now.
Once upon a time, hipsters shopped at thrift stores and played used guitars in moldy basements, but now they just prance around wearing $200 jeans and a brand-new a la mode $100 scarf that will be so out by Fall.
Every city will be experience their version of the hipster implosion in the coming year(s), if not already. It's another fashion trend that already ended. Enough already!

uggs was so 2005!

I can only imagine how many girls wishes were fulfilled this year by Santa Claus. Judging from the clones of girls running all over Philly in their brand new Uggs, I think every girl got what they asked for. I also know why they are called Uggs because of that horrible sound that comes out of one's mouth when I see a clone donned in sheep's' skin. "uggghhhh"

How many sheep farms have been started up over this newest fashion craze. How many sheep die for your hideously ugly boots?

I'm reliving my past; last year in Manhattan was the year of the Ugg. Now Philly is just catching up and it's only a matter of time before this trend runs dry. I, personally, can hardly wait.
The Ugg is 2004's cowboy boot; A poor fashion choice, a wasteful wardrobe piece and a skeleton in your closet.

Talk about branding?!

When Lucky magazine first came out I thought I'd died and gone to retail heaven. Goodbye long-lines and shopping heedlessly. Lucky had the price, the web address and the phone number. You never had to leave your house to be decked out in the latest style.
Remember pop-up video on MTV?? Little chat bubbles with interesting, non-relevant facts would keep me more entertained than the video.
Where am I going with this, you ask? This week I watched the latest episode of The Hills. (I'm addicted!) and it was like a combination of Lucky and pop-up video and it disgusted me. Little bubbles pop up and say: Scarf; Alexander McQueen, $325.
At the end of the show was a Tally, (over $8,000!) telling you what it costs to live the life like The Hills.
I like this show, actually. I love watching Heidi squirm and I find myself obsessed with their vapid conversations and stupid cat-fights. However, I'm not crazy about their clothes, their lifestyle or their expensive cars and ugly boyfriends, and I can't believe that the producers of the show thought it was okay to market designer digs to 12 year-old girls.

unfortunate fashion

Will this legging phase ever phase-out? This pervasive trend has everyone from infants to grandmothers in its clutches. Honestly, I don't think I can take seeing another over-weight woman in her twenties rockin' colorful leggings with an oversized T-shirt. There is nothing revolutionary about the way you look girlfriend!...In fact you kind of resemble Roseanne Barr back in her hey-day. My suggestion: Get off the couch and try to squeeze into a pair of jeans, save the rest of us from the eye sores that you've become. Just by being slightly original, you can stop supporting corporate machines like American Apparel and Urban Outfitters. We can build a better world, one less pair of leggings at a time.