Being Beautifully Green

As the desire to be more "green" becomes a mainstream idea in today's culture, I'm seeing more and more very fashionable options that are still eco-friendly and animal-friendly. My biggest challenge in the past, as I'm sure it is with most, is the availability of these products and, frankly, the lack of style many of them had.

Toms shoes in general are kind of odd to me, but I did think the wrap boots were funky and fun in a Princess Leia-kind of way. But apart from that, not so much.

I have found a few other designers and companies that are doing beautiful pieces that I would buy even if they didn't carry the "green" label. olsen Haus is one of my new favorites and, although pricey, the Natalie Portman line at Te Casan (sadly no more although I did see some pieces on Gilt Group the other day).

I was looking online for other options and came across this site - EcoStiletto. Of course the title caught my attention at once.

So who are they? Well according to the site:

EcoStiletto features green picks in Fashion, Beauty, Parenting and the Good Life and explains, in real-girl terms, how eco-friendly choices can help turn your carbon footprint from a ginormous Ugg into an oh-so-slender Manolo.

We're not about guilt, we're about information. We're not about forcing you to change, we're about giving you alternatives. Because everyone wants to make a difference, but no one wants to give up the little things that we love. Making a difference doesn't have to mean making a huge change in your lifestyle. Sometimes it just means considering the alternatives.

Perfect, right? And what's even better is "Nobody pays to play on EcoStiletto; if there's an ad on our site, you'll recognize it as such."

Integrity and providing a great service. I'm kind of in love with them already.

But then they said this: Enter to Win Free Shoes.

Ummm, okay!

Each month they are giving away shoes worth $500 or more and this month is a pair of these amazing ankle boots from Beyond Skin (another great shoe line that I've always liked for their style and their philosophy).

The site talks about celebrities, fashion, beauty and kids. Pretty much a great clearinghouse for fashion and eco-friendly. What I also love is that they have a list of Things That Suck, which is a list of things to watch out for from animal testing to product ingredients. And they tell you why it is bad, not just give you a big long list.

So if you are looking for a way to add style and, oh yeah, be a little lighter on the earth, this is great resource. I need to go back to it myself and see if I can find a new eye cream...

Red Ribbons

Over a year ago I was bemoaning the fact that these lovely Manolo Blahniks did not come in my size. It was just so so so unfair! I mean, they were made for me, so why am I not wearing them?

I never forgot them.



And while these are not exactly the same, when I saw these Quinn pumps from Jimmy Choo, I thought, just maybe they might be close enought to pacify my unfulfilled desire for the Manolos.



Neutral animal print and red tie and heel accents.... yes please!

I just hope that everyone doesn't go and buy up all the sizes before I can save up for these! I'd hate to be disappointed again!

You are Invited

In the comments of my previous post, I received a number of questions about what is Gilt Group, especially given the fabulous bargain I got. there.



In the past year, a number of "invitation-only" shopping sites have popped up and Gilt Group is one of these. Some others are Rue La La and Ideeli. The stated purpose of these sites is to provide steep discounts on designer pieces for women, men, children and home fashions. I have seen Valentino (obviously), Kate Space, Diane Von Furstenburg, Doo.ri, Zac Posen, Missoni and more. Ideeli also does great giveaways pretty often. I've seen Prada and Jimmy Choo bags and more.

The sites post sales on a small number of goods for a short amount of time, usually 24 - 36 hours, with pieces and sizes selling out fast. This not only helps to clear out pieces but it helps to keep the cache of the brand intact through the use of manufactured "exclusivity."

I would say that there is a definite air of marketing in this. It's far better for a designer brand to be sold, even at a deep discount, through an invitation site than to be hauled off to a Ross or a TJ Maxx. I also have to say that I have not done a huge amount of purchasing through these sites. Usually I forget to sign in and see what is available and when I do get there a lot of things are already sold. Also, I just haven't seen a lot that I've sparked to.

Like any non-standard shopping expedition, there is an element of luck. I will still pop-in to check them out because you never know.

Here are the websites, if you want to check them out:

Gilt Group

Rue La La

Ideeli

If you are interested in getting an invitation, just email me your email and I will send it out. My email is princesspoochie (at) shoedaydreams.com

I Am Spoiled

Oh yes I am, because I am getting this:

Valentino.

Made in Italy.

I mean, how ridiculously gorgeous is this? It's billed as a trench but depending on the weight this may become a dress. And if I can find it, I'm going to wear a bright aqua slip under it so it shows through those laser cut flowers in the pleated plissé skirt.

This is where it was originally sold at Bergdorf Goodman but Gilt Group listed it for an 1/12th of the price. So, yeah, if you haven't signed up for Gilt Group, let me know and I'll send you an invite.

And who do I have to thank for this... umm, hmmm... the hubby! He is amazing!!!!

*Smooches!*

Imitation = Flattery?

A while back I professed my love for these delectable "rain-drop" sandals. I still love love love them!



Sure they were $1700 and are now sold out, but look at them...



They are magical.



Well, now I think they are kind of ripped off. And badly, by Gina.

Same attempt at dew-drop like crystals but on tacky tacky gold leather.

Eeeewww!



The pumps are a little better but still. Oh, and the price is not cheap at all. What the heck?






I have not really seen any Gina shoes I've liked. The only ones I've ever wanted were the ones pink ankle strap heels Madonna wore on the cover of "Confessions on a Dance Floor." Those were hot.

Plus, even though they are pricier, I always confuse them with Nina shoes. And I think of them as tacky WAG shoes.

Is that wrong?

Forward Thinking; Looking Back

One thing that I know about myself is that I have a tendency to dress pretty streamlined and conservative. While I like a wide variety of colors and unique details, underneath my clothes and shoes are pretty classic, maybe even boring by some standards. And I just no good at layering creatively.

This is why I love seeing what other ladies are wearing because they help me broaden my fashion horizions and get ideas for how I can bring great pieces, that I may not even have considered, into my wardrobe.

I'm very inspired by the modern chunkiness of Miss Nubby's selections, like these Marni sandals. She always has the best graphic combinations of clothes and shoes in colors that I love too, like red, black, green and grey.



Jane at Sea of Shoes (along with her mom) also has some amazing architectural pieces and a great way of wearing them - from casual to excessive.



I'm starting to branch into more unusual pieces and I directly contribute the inspiration to these women. They helped me to open my mind.

Left to my own devices I tend to chose retro, uber-girly, spindly pumps like these Kors Michael Kors "Lush" pumps in muted gold. These have a 1960s cocktail hour shape to them, and while I love them they are well within my comfort zone.



In the next year, I hope to add more pieces that move away from the obvious girly-ness that I default to. I like pieces in this aesthetic, I just need to move towards them more.

Thank You

I just wanted to post a brief note and say thank you to everyone.

All of your support, kind words and good wishes have meant more to me than you know. I know it has been a while since I wrote anything here but I have been checking in with and following along with many of you on Twitter, your sites and Facebook. It has kept me from focusing on my sadness.

As I'm sure was evident, this has been a very hard time. It's hard to explain how painful this situation has been. I've experienced sadness and loss before but I have never felt such grief or felt as bereft as I currently do.

Right now I am getting up and going to work because I have to. The husband and I have been taking care of the other pets and he has been doing major work to keep our two girls, Meg and Gertie safe going forward. Sadly they are feeling the loss as keenly and have kept themselves inside the coop since Saturday. We hope that they will begin to feel more secure soon.

It is hard to know that each day I will no longer see Napoleon. That I will no longer get to talk with him or hold him or see him running over to me. It's even harder to know that I wasn't around to stop his murder and that there is nothing I can do to help him or bring him back. It's hard to disassociate this from the fact that I continue to live in that same place and that each day will remind me of him and what happened. He was such a huge part of our lives. It's hard to know how to go forward without him in it.

I'm trying to find my way back. It is slow but I hope it will be soon.

Again... thank you.

Poochie

1.17.2009

I'm going to be away for a while.

This says pretty much everything I can't say right now.

IFB Links a la Mode

More amazing links from some of the best writers around!

Links à la Mode: January15th

39thandbroadway.com - Why our obsession for fast fashion is causing designers to burn-out and result in less innovative wardrobe choices for you!

Breakfast at Saks - Style vs. Comfort: What to wear when you’re traveling

dramatis personae - Mischief-Managed Media: My So-Called Life…

fashion forestry - Dressing like San Francisco architecture

fashion in my eyes - For the love of shoes

fete a fete - Lia Lintern custom fitted luxe coats!

Hello, Lover… Shoe Daydreams - The famous SATC: The Movie “Something Blue” shoe is now not blue?

Hollow Star - Spring fashion trends I’m most excited about

Independent Fashion Bloggers - In the Name of the Blog

Iwanttowearit - Kids who dress themselves will make you smile. I promise.

Mademoiselle Robot - Getting summer wardrobe inspiration from Robert Mulligan’s The Man in the Moon.

Nico Assatly - Accessories Junkie

Retro Chick - Warm Chunky Knits for Work, Rest & Play

Shopping and Info - Shopping and Info loves Nicole Richie’s Balenciaga platform black boots.

Solo Lisa y Nada Mas - How to shop for a purse you’ll love

Studio Purpura - Weekly Editor’s Picks - Resolution to Ladies Pesky Fashion Issues!

Style Symmetry - Eyeliah calls skirts over dresses a trend to watch!

Style Tabloid - Staring off the New Year with work-out resolutions? Stick to your plans with the help of some cute work-out outfits inspired by your favorite celebrities!

Style With Anna - 20 Weird and Wacky Handbags

THE COVETED - How to Dress for Cold Weather

the musings of ondo lady - Ok so we had The Real OC and The Real Housewives of Orange County so make way for The Real Gossip Girls.

Imitation = Flattery?

Last year I fell in love with these neon pink platform pumps from my favorite hit-or-miss designer, Stella McCartney. I ended up returning them because, even on me these were amazingly uncomfortable.



But I loved the color and had really loved their unusual reverse platform which was so distinctive.



So distinctive that Paris Hilton feels that it's the perfect element to rip-off and reinterpret in tacky faux-snakeskin vinyl.




Yes, this is one of the better shoes in her collection but I can't tell you if it will be more comfortable than the Stella because I will never try it on.

It's the principle of the thing! I have to have some standards.

Something Old, Something New, Something Changed... it's not Blue?

Everyone remembers the other big character in the SATC movie. No, not New York! I'm talking about the Manolo Blahnik Hangisi "Something Blue" satin and rhinestone pumps.



You had to know that a heel that got this much attention and was so popular, wasn't going be a one time shot. Okay, maybe you knew that. I thought Manolo would just integrate elements like the new heel design done for the piece, because I was totally stopped in my tracks when I saw the shoe in new colors on the Barney's site.

Black -



and Yellow -




The black is elegant but so safe (yawn!) and I like the yellow but it's not as contrast-y as I would like it. Of course, I'm still in love with my blues. They are just an amazing color and you can't help but stare at them.



I would love this in a dusky grey-lavender or even a icy white. Maybe even a flashy hot pink. What colors would you have picked?

Eeeewwww!!!!

I have, in the past, give a few begrudging props to the Jessica Simpson line of shoes. Not only is it not the Paris Hilton line (shudder!) but that must have a decent designer on staff because some of her shoes are pretty cute. I really do hate to admit it because I can't stand the girl or anything she wears. Which I take to mean she has little to do with the pieces that fall under her name.

But maybe she's trying to get more involved now, because that's the only thing that can explain this monstrosity.




I'm sure there are ladies out there who love this (and I actually kind of like the heel/sole of it) but the whole picture just completely turns me off. It just looks way too clunky and overdone.

Bah!

Take it away and bring back your original designer.

Focus and Balance

One thing that may not be obvious about me is that I love geology. I actually took a geology class and a lab as an elective in college. I dig on scree (and funnily, one of my cats are named Talus but for another reason).

I had an amazing teacher in the 5th grade who fostered this love of rocks and minerals and I've been collecting mineral specimens and geodes ever since. One of my favorite minerals is Malachite. I have yet to find a piece I'm in love with and can afford but it is on my list. Besides bubble agate, I think malachite is one of the most graphic and beautiful of stones, especially in it's cut and polished form.



Imagine my instant smitten kitten love when I stumbled upon these gorgeous Missoni t-strap heels. Sadly (oh so sad!) they aren't available in my size, but if you wear a 37, 37.5 or 39, you are so in luck because they are on sale!




I would be scrounging up the cash for these babies if I could. If they come in your size and you get them, please don't tell me because I will be sooo jealous!

Le sigh!

Ensemble du Jour

Finally! Some color!

It has been raining for days so when it finally stopped on Thursday, I was able to wear outfits I had been planning in my head but couldn't wear. I refuse to wear really nice things when it's raining. I'm too worried they'll get ruined.

OCD? Yes, maybe.

On Thursday I had a few meetings, so I got to wear my new JCrew jacket. I adore this blue color. Its so vibrant. I paired it with a dark red cami, a khaki pencil skirt and my Pedro Garcia distressed satin heels.


1-8-09 by Princess Poochie

I just realized that my outfit above is like a reverse of this one... apparently I like the color combo.

On Friday I really wanted to wear my new pink satin skirt but haven't decided what other color to pair it with (red? coral? another pink? black is too easy. any ideas?). So even though my head was full of pink I went to the next item on my mental "want to wear" checklist - my new baby blue fishnets.

I'd been thinking how to wear these and ended up layering the color tone rather than contrasting. I so slack about working the contrast. I like to tie things together. Maybe too much.

The top was a simple black v-neck and the skirt was one of the cute Old Navy polka-dot ones I got on sale a while back. I added tons of blue including my Lou Lou Loves You bow, Louboutin Helmuts and a ShoeMissy rosette (pinned down by my waist).


1-9-09 by Princess Poochie

I'm not doing great on my resolution of planning my outfits in advance. I really need to figure out a better system than writing ideas in a notebook. Since I have stuff tucked away in multiple rooms I tend to forget all my options and wear my favorite stuff over and over. I need solutions! In the morning I'm just too rushed to remember and integrate.

Maybe a image library of everything that can be done like a flip book...or a phone app that I shake and it comes up with an outfit.

How do you all remember and plan your outfits, especially if you are in a rush? I'm open to ideas so send them my way!

Stars in the Galaxy

Have you ever had a love that left you breathless? Well, that's kind of how I feel about these shoes.

Good gracious! Look at them....



They are like Art Deco superhero shoes.

Christian Louboutin Very Galaxy Pumps - at Neiman Marcus.

Le Sigh!

Ensemble du Jour

The Outfit

It's been raining and it's cold and blustery, so I needed something warm and snuggly. But after feeling so cranky yesterday, I wanted something that made me feel strong and kind of hot.

The dress was simple, a short black sweater dress and I'm in all black and white but the accessories are unique so they stood out.


1-7-08 by Princess Poochie

I wore my Paraphernalia Poochie necklace and at least four people asked me where they could get pieces for themselves. Can you blame them? I adore Paraphernalia!




When I was in Asheville I found a new lingerie store and bought two cool pairs of stockings. One pair were baby blue fishnets and the other were these fleur de lis lace stockings.




I wanted to wear the lace stockings to add some additional pattern as well as great a more feminine counterpoint to my kick-ass Ann Demeulemeester boots. I love these boots way too much.




I don't think I've ever had a pair of shoes that make me feel as powerful and cool as these do.




They are once in a lifetime type shoes so I'm glad I have them. I took a ton of photos of them too.

On IFB forums there was a discussion today about how people go ga-ga over simple outfits and fierce heels but I think these flat boots are making me more excited than heels are right now.

You will be seeing more of these!