Shop Like You Give a Damn – April’s Most Coveted Cork

It’s no secret I happen to love fermented grapes, preferably sipping from a bottle with a swirly straw. Vino has been my homie, is my homie, and will always be. Do ya dig?

When I came across this fabulous luxury bag produced by Corx, I fell profoundly in love.

Avo Handbag $250

How could you not? This roomy bag is available in 3 natural tones that would compliment practically any Spring ensemble! You may scratch your head and ask, “Why Cork?!” Here’s the rebuttal from Corx:

Cork, the new leather, is soft, lightweight, water resistant, stain resistant and absolutely gorgeous. Crafted with European quality and style, Corx handbags, backpacks and fashion accessories are made to look beautiful and last for years to come.

Better Than Leather, Corx bags are:

- As durable and supple as leather
- Silky-soft to the touch
- Easy to clean
- Stain and scratch resistant
- Water resistant
- Lightweight
- Impervious to fading
- Tolerant to extreme heat
- Unique due to the nature of cork
- Environmentally friendly
- Versatile, they go with everything!

See you next Sustainable Sunday…and by that I mean next week will actually be on Sunday.

XOXO,

Marcia

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photo courtesy of Ashley Hylbert Photography

Shop Like You Give a Damn – Nashville Fashion Week Hangover

So, it’s Sunday and your resident veganista has a bit of a fashion hangover…was there vodka involved? You bet your tush.

Just in case you have been hiding under a rock this past week, you were very aware of Lexus Nashville Fashion Week. What you may not have known is that our mascot Chico “Shop Like You Give A Damn” Ming represented as an official NFW model on the runway during the Sylvia Heisel runway show on the finale night. The crowd went wild for Sylvia’s sustainable collection and couldn’t resist the tiniest supermodel on the planet… Naomi Campbell, eat your heart out.

 

See you next Sustainable Sunday!

XO,

Marcia

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photo by Ashley Hylbert Photography.

Shop Like You Give a Damn – How It All Started

My, my, my. How time flies. It’s almost frightening how efficiently the sun, moon, and stars report to me on a daily basis. Do I sound a bit frazzled? Sure. I’m human. Yet in this very exciting (albeit rushed) season in my life, I am so thankful for everyone (furry or not) and everything in my life. In the the last year, Shop Like You Give a Damn has received much support from all of you and for that, I am humbled and ecstatic about what the future holds for us. Although, I have certainly been vocal (some may even say loud and proud – thank you very much) about how fun, stylish, resourceful, and respectful a vegan lifestyle is, I may have eluded on how and why I ended up here.

Photo by Taylor Christian Jones.

My friends over at Imogene + Willie recently featured me in their Our Voice series. Words can not express what an absolute honor this is for me and how liberating it was to open up and just let go. Now you know some pivotal chapters in my life and why I will continue to be their voice.

Comment below on why you are curious to try a vegan lifestyle or why you decided to make the choice. I would love to hear your story too!

See you next Sustainable Sunday!

XO,

Marcia

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photo by Ashley Hylbert Photography.

Shop Like You Give a Damn – Lulu’s Vegan Kicks

LuLus.com makes it a snap to scour their site for that perfect pair of vegan Spring kicks that are kind to your bank account too! Free shipping for all orders over $75 too. I can do that in my sleep! All you need to do is filter your search to Vegan and you’ll be astonished by the inventory of options they have. Or if you prefer to dig around yourself, just look for the little hot pink vegan heart next to the products to get the greenlight to buy with ease.

Being a shorty myself, I am going gaga over the vibrant platforms this season and LuLu’s does not disappoint with their offerings. Peep out my favorite Spring selections. Be still me heart.

 Michael Antonio Studio Gallista Yellow Velvet Cutout Platforms – $149

Yoki Raven Orange Color Block Cutout Lace-Up Platform Wedges – $37

Mona Mia Hedy Yellow Lace-Up Cutout Wedge Booties – $49

Luichiny Not Enough Green Suede Mega Platform Wedges – $85

Shoe Republic LA Prime Fuchsia & Red Platform Sandals – $45

 Which of these little gems are your favorite? Do share!

See you next Sustainable Sunday.

XOXO,

Marcia

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photograph by Ashley Hylbert Photography

Shop Like You Give a Damn – Stella is a Cover Girl

Arguably one of the most interesting designers in the world, Stella McCartney is gracing the cover of The New York Times Magazine and this fellow vegan couldn’t be more inspired. You can read Cathy Horyn’s gorgeously written article here.

In this excerpt, Stella discusses her stance on cruelty-free and sustainable fashion:

Perhaps the most obvious way her parents have influenced her is in her thinking about animal cruelty. She is the only high-end designer who makes exclusively nonleather handbags and shoes. Her Falabella bags, which feature a chain detail along the edge, are hugely popular — according to (Frederick) Lukoff, accessory sales have grown fourfold in the last three years. Talking about her insistence on being leather-free, McCartney told me that she doesn’t think the rules of the fashion industry change very much. “They do on the design level, how a dress is made, but when it comes to how business is done, people pretty much follow the same rules,” she said. “Obviously I believe that using crocodile or leather to make a handbag is cruel. But it’s also not modern, you’re not pushing innovation.”

McCartney lobbies on behalf of PETA, as her parents did, appearing in a recent graphic video that exposes inhumane practices in the leather-goods industry. But she doesn’t hype her ethics with hangtags. In part that’s because she wants consumers to love a bag for its design, not as something eco, and in part it’s because the system of fair-trade, sustainable, ecological products is not perfect. “You can be making organic sweaters, fair trade, in Peru and the next month, that company is no longer in business,” she said. “Or it rained for a week, and the women couldn’t get to work. So there are a million things that can shift the rules, which I think is interesting.”

Here are Shop Like You Give A Damn’s Top 3 Spring Picks from Stella McCartney. And I can assure you it was not a simple task to consolidate. I literally covet EVERYTHING.

3. The Bengal approves.

Vneck Tiger Print Tee $325

2. The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.

Lindy McCartney: Life in Photographs $70

1. Leather and suede? Nah. I’ll flaunt these instead….

Lomax Satin High Hell Sandal 105mm $1025

Who else is salivating over Stella’s wares? Let me know what you yearn from on her site too. Let’s dish!

See you next Sustainable Sunday.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photo by Ashley Hylbert Photography.

Shop Like You Give a Damn: Compassion Couture

In last week’s post, I couldn’t help but brag about all the astonishing cruelty-free Fall looks featured at New York Fashion Week, but this week I wanted to shift your focus to Spring. Meet the cruelty-free fashion experts with web-retailer Compassion Couture!

Jill and Tracey of Compassion Couture at NY Vegetarian Expo

Compassion Couture was started by two sisters (and best friends) working in the busy hustle and bustle of corporate America, all the while knowing they were not fulfilling their true life’s dreams. With a sincere concern for the welfare of animals and the planet, they redirected their focus on aiming towards making the biggest difference possible in the world in which we live. How can you argue with that? You don’t people.

Compassion Couture is a one-stop boutique for high quality, fashion-forward handbags, shoes and accessories that are both cruelty-free and eco-friendly.  They solely offer products by companies that place a strong emphasis on producing their goods in a sustainable and ethical way.  Based on their unique sense of style, they hand pick every item that is sold on their site, which includes an array of fashion-forward high quality shoes, bags, wallets, belts and other accessories.

Here are their top three accessory picks for Spring!

Olsen Haus – Mars – Citron – $275

As with all Olsen Haus shoes, the Mars is high-quality, stylish, cruelty-free and fair trade!  Made of linen and microfiber suede, these pumps are ahead of the curve and fashion-forward with buckles galore.

Gunas – Sweet Heart Purse – White/Orange/Camel – $225

Bold and edgy, the Sweet Heart makes a statement for Spring with its bold array of colors.  This purse is cruelty-free, handcrafted and produced at a socially responsible factory.

Cri de Coeur – Clio Wedge – Black & Gold – $380

These wedges are rocker chic!  They are made of high quality PU, recycled linen, a recycled wood platform and feature an open toe with zipper closure in back.

I can’t speak for y’all but I’ll take one of each. Right?!

Compassion Couture’s mission is to prove that it is possible to have a strong sense of beliefs without sacrificing your sense of style. From sexy pumps to casual boots to chic bags, this is the one place a girl can splurge guilt-free!

Which is your favorite? Do share! See you next Sustainable Sunday.

Cheers,

Marcia

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photo by Ashley Hylbert Photography.