nimli

Eco-Chic: Boots for Vegans

by grechen on September 10, 2008 | SUBSCRIBE | TWITTER | FACEBOOK |

There are a LOT of options out there for vegan shoes/boots (do a google search) but I wouldn’t wear most of them. Okay, I can’t wear ANY boots because my calves are TOO BIG (I’m bitter…), but even if I could, I really dislike pleather, and in terms of affordable vegan boot/shoe options, that’s what there is…

For example, these, by Madden Girl, are okay, but not incredibly appealing:

This is why I love new vegan shoe designer, Cri de Coeur; the shoes aren’t TRYING to be something they’re not: Leather. (I truly dislike anything faux – when I was a vegan, I didn’t eat fake meat, and I don’t like fake leather…so sue me). Most of Cri de Coeur’s collection is canvas or other material, and the designs are so unique and beautiful. They’ve just launched their Fall shoes/boots, and I am totally smitten with all of them (Nimli has the best selection – and you can save 20% with code “grechens08,” but there are several other boutiques that sell Cri de Coeur online):

The bootie on the left is a ribbed velveteen (yum!), the boot in the middle distressed hemp canvas, and the boot on the right is canvas. Check out Cri de Coeur’s website for the full collection – my FAVORITE is the Brooke boot.

Other vegan boot options (that I like):

Charmone
Stella McCartney

Also, check out Peta’s list for vegan shopping.

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Eco-Chic: Juana Handbags

by grechen on May 26, 2008 | SUBSCRIBE | TWITTER | FACEBOOK |

Following my mission to be more environmentally thoughtful, I am also making an effort to get my money to serve a dual purpose. For example…I bought my mom and sister each the Feed 100 bag for Mother’s Day. I purchased the bags at my local Whole Foods for $30, and each bag purchased provides 100 school children 100 meals through the UN World Food Program. They both loved the bags (they’re great for groceries) and I love that I actually bought gifts for 202 people instead of just two

I also love to help people help themselves, especially female entrepreneurs. And I totally love this clutch, available at Nimli, which is hand crocheted by a women’s sewing cooperative in rural Piura, Peru.

The purchase of this clutch helps these 25 mothers improve their standard of living and grow a sustainable business. And it’s totally cute…available in four colors, and only $40. Not much really, considering you’re helping women improve their lives…which makes the world a better place for all of us.

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Eco-Chic: Melissa Vest Canvas Bags

by grechen on April 30, 2008 | SUBSCRIBE | TWITTER | FACEBOOK |

My mother taught me a lot of things, but she did say one thing that continues to resonate most with me to this day: “If you don’t love yourself FIRST, no one else will.” I believe this is 100% true, and have always tried to “live” by it. And I hope I try to encourage you, my visitors to love your bodies (and yourselves) as you are now; it is so important to dress for your shape/body NOW, not for the body you dream of having one day. First comes love, all else follows…and if it doesn’t, that’s okay, ‘cuz you still have love!!

Anyway…These lovely canvas bags by Melissa Vest really inspire me, they would be fabulous shopping bags (I already have great grocery shopping bags, but I think I will try to start taking cute canvas bags with me to the mall – I have way too many Nordstrom/Saks/Barney’s bags already!)