Store Focus - Beyond Skin Shoes

It's been a while since I featured Beyond Skin here on Shoe Daydreams, but I really need to source them more often.  They consistently have cute shoes that, while not cheap, are not as pricey as Stella McCartney.  They definitely are doing their part to showcase how stylish cruelty-free shoes can be.

Of course, everyone needs a few good glitter heels.  I like the Sirene and Sweetie.

The Penny oxford herringbone booties are perfect for this season - from wide trousers to skinny jeans or tights and a pleated skirt.

The edgier Conni lace-up boot is pretty snazzy too.

The tan and black patent Colleen bootie has classic Chanel-esque colorway that keeps up with modern styling.

But personally I'm a sucker for a shiny metallic pump, like the faux snakeskin version of the Sirene.

But I have to admit they gold diamond pattern is striking too.  This also comes in a great aqua zigzag print that would look stunning with a chocolate sweater dress and tights.

And their Heart ballet flats come in every variation you could possibly need. I'm partial to the multi-color glitter myself. 

I actually really want the Franklin faux croc pumps.  Their shape is perfect 1940s.  Picture mid-length pencil skirts, The Big Sleep and Bogey heroines. I have a vintage pair like this but I know they won't last forever.  These would be great with so many outfits.

And they have great basics too, like black patent wingtips...

... or velvet beribboned loafer slippers, Beyond Skin has that too.

Most of their styles come in several color and pattern options, their prices range around $100 and up but their having a sale now. And they're vegan! I love how they say: "No humans, animals or small children were harmed in the making of our shoes. " Wouldn't it be great if everything was that way?

Consolation Prize

While I like going to Fashion Week, seeing the shows and experiencing the excitement of all the creativity in one place, it's very challenging for me as well. 

Even though fur usage declined, it is now back on the rise.  For some reason, people really think that fur is a good thing, although I'll never understand why?  All I see is vicious cruelty.  And I've been following along as many of the fashion pubs, brands and blogs jump onto Tumblr.  The bombardment of fur visuals from this week is hella depressing.

These images just make me sick.  Skinning an animal after keeping it in horrid conditions and then electrocuting it to death?  60 minks, 10-20 foxes or beavers, 30-50 raccoons, 6-10 seals, 110 squirrels or 130-200 chinchillas have to die for one fur coat! That's fashion!

I mean how can you look at this:

And not see that it was once this?  Yet so much lovelier and more wondrous:

I'm serious.  If you think wearing animal fur is okay, I don't want to know you. 

To cleanse my mind I had to go look for some cute shoes that are totally vegan and don't make me depressed as hell.

So, since I'm on a flats kick here are some sweet ballet flats from Beyond Skin and come in oodles of colors and are on sale!

I also popped by Cri de Coer because I'm loving cap-toe flats (in fact I'm wearing a cute faux patent tan and black pair from Gap right now).  Cri de Coer's are pricier but they are also on sale right now.

You can learn more about the horrors of the fur industry if you dare. 

Fur is easy to avoid, so let your favorite designers know that they should ignore the bribes of the fur industry and keep their clothes cruelty free.

Tapestry Textures - Beyond Skin Trixie pump

Have I mentioned how pretty I think the shoes are from Beyond Skin? They have great shapes and great materials... and are animal friendly!

I personally am smitten by these brown tapestry Trixie pumps.

The bow is sweet. I think these would be pefect for my woodland Fall fantasy wardrobe.

Trixie pump - £151.00 from Beyond Skin

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...