Ip & Audrey

Oh, these times are hard...

2011-12-21T22:01:00.000-08:00

... and they're making us crazy, don't give up on me, baby...

The simplest things in life are often, I think, the very best things. They’re the things we rely on for hope and comfort in times of trepidation and sorrow.

Though many things have changed for me this year – new job, new apartment, new opportunities – and will continue to change, and I’m excited to see a new horizon, there are still plenty of things I’m going to miss.

Sometimes you gain one thing only to lose another. I suppose this is the universe’s little balancing act. One minute we smile; the next, we dissolve into tears. We may not understand what’s happening at the time, until one day it all falls magically into place and makes perfect sense. At least, we hope it will.

Reasons to rejoice on a cold, rainy winter evening: comfort food (vegan chick’n stew with “clouds,” featuring a "gravy" base made from scratch, seasonal root vegetables, and dumplings made with almond milk), Christmas lights, the company of a loved one, the companionship of a furry friend.

We may not ever know what the future holds. And while there’s fear in the unknown, there’s joy to be found in surprises.

Happy early Christmas to you and yours…

-E

Bringing back the blogging!

2011-12-19T09:28:00.000-08:00

Hi all!

I've missed my friends in the fashion world! Even though I no longer work in the field (I'm a full-time news reporter now!), I would like to dive back in, pick up where I left off, and immerse myself in the fashion blogging universe... if, of course, you'll have me! My hiatus was much-needed. The break wasn't for too long, thank goodness! I saw many of you over at my tumblr, This Gal Friday, so I don't feel as though I missed too much! :)

Blogging has always been a great outlet for me. As a professional writer, I tend to get bogged down with work, and miss the creative side (though I do have plenty of freedom at the newspaper where I work, and pretty much set my own schedule and chase my own story ideas each day). My intentions in bringing back Ip & Audrey are twofold: 1) to break back into the fashion industry, to perhaps transition to magazine editorial work and 2) to serve as a portfolio for my photography, fashion writing, and perhaps even my music. I am pursuing my music career on the side more and more; recently, I landed a paid gig that will see me performing at a large venue in Boston this spring, recording some tracks and touring India a year from now! I am an "indie" singer-songwriter-musician, however, and do not have a recording contract (but if that ever changes, hey, I won't complain!). Somehow, I'd like to continue climbing up the ladder as a reporter, whether I wind up at a fashion magazine, working for a fashion website again, reporting from red carpets and fashion shows or landing some TV work, I'm open to it all! The future, as always, is wide open, and I'm excited to embrace it all.

So, this blog is back and will see some changes, and I hope you'll be here to take this journey with me! Stay tuned. And if I don't see you soon, Happy Christmas!

Love love love,
Erin

P.S. Yes, the photo I posted is from last year; I cheated! New stuff coming SOON!

Ip & Audrey has moved!

2011-09-07T10:06:00.001-07:00

Greetings, fashion bloggers and friends!

My apologies for the lack of updates. I was hoping to keep my fashion blog up and running but, alas, real life has gotten in the way. After landing my dream gig as a full-time news reporter, I no longer have time to cover runway shows or pull together outfits and photo shoots. Maybe, one day, I will again. But for now, it's all local government and school committees and tropical storms from here on out!

But if you miss me and my blogging (I miss you, too!) feel free to follow my adventures and musings in a new space. I will be chronicling my day-to-day reporter adventures, joining the ranks of tumblrs worldwide with This Gal Friday. I hope to see you there!

Peace and love,

Erin (aka "Audrey")

Water, water

2011-03-17T20:57:00.000-07:00

On Saturday I took a trek to the tip of Cape Cod at Provincetown to gaze at the sea. It is the coldest, deepest part of the ocean I have seen on this coast. The waves crashed violently as the wind howled, icy, still, for March. I scanned the horizon for an end in sight; silly me, there is none.

So easily and so often, I am struck by the powerful force of nature. Cold, unrelenting, unstoppable. As beautiful as it is frightening. I am humbled by its vastness and awed by its majesty. It makes me feel so small, and well aware that everything around me could be struck, shaken, crumbled, vanished in an instant.

My mind and heart is with the people of Japan. I may be far away, distance-wise, from their tragedy, but I am keeping their pain and sorrow close. As I gaze at my calmer coast, I can only imagine what they have been through and pray for their stamina and safety. I have yet to go over there but I will soon and, when I do, I want to help.

Here, you can view the Boston Globe's coverage of last Friday's earthquake and tsunami. Or watch the chilling footage, below.

And if you feel compelled, please offer Japan your help, here.

There is always hope.

Best of the Web Award!

2011-03-04T11:24:00.000-08:00

I'm excited and honored to announce that Ip & Audrey is the recipient of a new award: Careers in Fashion is bestowing its Best of the Web award for Ip & Audrey's green fashion coverage.

Yay!

This is an amazing honor and I couldn't be more thrilled for my little fashion blog! Thanks to all of your for your continued support. Let's party!

Chasing Unicorns

2011-02-23T18:53:00.000-08:00

See, I used to play with unicorns... and feed them coffee. And yes, I am a dork.*

Thank you all for your sweet comments on my last post! I am happy to report that, yes, unicorns do exist... because I got the job! Ok, well, it's not the job, it's a job, but it's a journalist one, and that's what I'm most excited about. It's only taken me, oh, three and a half years to get here, but I'm here now! And everyone has to start somewhere!

I am still working at my current job, and will be for the next few weeks, but pitched my new editor three stories today. He picked one of them, and then assigned me nine more. Nine?!? I freaked, which included tears and hysterical laughter (I was by myself staring at my laptop in bewilderment, so no one knew, thank goodness!). I mean, I'm excited and all, but it's been a few years since I've written anything besides a blog post! My last published paper article was in 2007! A little freaking out is definitely in order. But, hey, this is what I wanted! So I'm going to calm the crap down and just go for it.

My first front-pager, back when I was 21. I was a baby!*

And because I have a tendency to blather on about things that have very little to do with my, oh yeah, fashion blog, I am creating a space to blog just about work/writing stuff... because wouldn't reading the witticisms and woes of an aspiring reporter be fun? Or something? I'd like to think so! And if you think so, you can check out This Gal Friday. Yup. Super original, I know. ;)

Thanks, again, for all of your kind words and support! And do check back soon for a few new giveaways, plus a super-cool all new blog layout... I've been dying to unveil the new designs for a while, and everything is finally coming together!

Have a wonderful weekend... I'll be in New York, and hope to throw a little Oscars viewing party! While we're on the subject, who are your favorite nominees? I am firmly entrenched in Camp Franco. I'm also on Team Portman, simply because I like her... and haven't seen all the other nominees' performances. And hey, it'd be cool if all the big winners this year were twenty- and thirty-somethings, no?

*Please note that these horribly embarrassing images are from my college days, when I was horribly embarrassing and unabashedly dorky on a daily basis. Well, ok... Some things never change... ;)

This Gal Friday

2011-02-17T13:23:00.000-08:00

I'm a big believer in dreams coming true, even if they take a little while. Since childhood, it's been my dream to write for a living. And since graduating college (a few years ago now), I've been trying to break into the newspaper business. But a big and nasty villain called the economic recession decided to gut that business in particular and make it nigh-on impossible to find work in the field. Nowadays, full-time writing jobs are so elusive that I'm beginning to equate them to unicorns... as in, it would be cool if they actually existed, but at some point we have to grow up and face the fact that they're nothing but a myth.

If only there existed a job where one can wear pink, and type on a pink laptop and, ooh... unicorns!

Well, not anymore.

Call it a comeback! More and more publications seem to be opening their doors to new writers once more. As I've spent the past few years freelancing, working odd jobs, just trying to "make it" as a writer, I'm more than ready to brush up the ol' resume and take the paper business by storm.

Yes, I'm a dreamer, but I really feel that this is the year "my dreams will match up with my pay," to quote Feist. Not that journalists get paid a lot... but at this point, any salary would easily fit into my dreams scale; all I require is a roof over my head, some Ikea furniture, a few whimsical odds and ends from Anthropologie, and some Trader Joe's groceries in the fridge.

Do I sound like a hipster-writer-blogger, or what? ;)

Of course, as a fashion blogger, I just had to create a journalist's dream wardrobe. Thank goodness Polyvore allows me to indulge my love for Kate Spade and Anthropologie without actually spending my whole paycheck on their lovely wares...

Gal Friday by erincathleen featuring slingback pumps

I would love to sprint around in an outfit like this, whether I become a big city professional or remain a small-town typist. But no matter where I end up, I know one thing for sure...

I need an iPad so I can rock this sweet case by Kate Spade!Kidding. Mostly. :) But I do love the newspaper print, and black, white and red happens to be a favorite color combo. Perfect for the aspiring writer, no?

So. I plan to be dashing off to interviews here and there over the next few months. Of course, I will continue to post updates here... and get back to blogging as usual. And you'll be happy to know that I have a few goodies up my sleeve before the month is out... more exciting giveaways! Stay tuned!

I hope wherever you are, you're enjoying the middle of February, inching ever closer to spring!

There can only be one...

2011-02-08T13:31:00.000-08:00

... winner of the $100 Shopbop giveaway, but I wish there could be more! Thank you all for entering, and for following my blog! I appreciate each and every one of you and like to take any and every opportunity to say thanks and give back.

That said, I put all of your names into a hat (some of you earned multiple entries!) and have found our winner... Carmen! Congratulations!

I want to thank Shopbop for this amazing contest!

Again, thank you all for entering and for keeping up with my blog! I have some exciting new content on the way, so stay tuned!

Shopbop Giveaway!

2011-01-27T07:22:00.001-08:00

Just what you need to ease the winter blues: a $100 giveaway courtesy of Shopbop! Read on for all the deets...

During the frigid winter months, your coat is arguably the most important piece of clothing you'll wear. A great coat should be three things: stylish, versatile and warm. As temperatures drop this season, Shopbop's got you covered-- literally!

One lucky reader will win $100 to shop the Shopbop sale. Shop for the latest trends from your favorite designers, like Alexander Wang and Michael Kors, or browse the site's collection of cozy winter outerwear.

Whether you want to keep it classic, set a trend or hit the slopes, a coat from Shopbop's designer collections will help you do it!

Classic

There's nothing more classic than a pea coat. Wear one to the office or for an evening out and you'll look refined and professional.

Trendy

If you really want to make a statement, a faux fur vest like the bold HHN by Haute Hippie Mongolian Vest should be your go-to piece.

Sporty

Puffer jackets are a perfect choice if you lead a more active lifestyle (or just live in a frigid place!). Casual and sporty, puffer jackets from Shopbop will keep you warm and stylish on the slopes or on the street.

Enter to Win!

Just leave me a comment telling me: when it comes to winter style, do you go for classic, trendy or sporty? Winner will be chosen at random, to keep it fair. Bonus: If you follow me on Twitter, Google Friend Connect or BlogLovin', you'll earn an extra entry! Just tell me in your comment which one you've opted to follow. And if you follow all three... that's three extra entries! Woo-hoo! Oh, and muy importante... this giveaway is also open to international readers! So what are you waiting for? Enter this awesome contest!

The giveaway will close on Sunday, February 6th at midnight. Good luck!

Wherever you are, I hope you're staying nice and toasty this season!

Goofy and giddy

2011-01-19T13:49:00.000-08:00

Hi y'all,

I am home all week recovering from a wee little surgery. No worries, all is well. :) I get to lounge around and find ways to entertain myself. So I was beyond happy to stumble upon the new She & Him video for "Don't Look Back." It's very retro, very bright, and very, very giddy. Just like me, on oxycodone! In fact, I'm thinking this video looks even better on oxycodone. :D Nope, I'm not crazy. Just really, really happy. :)

Enjoy!

She & Him - Don't Look Back from Merge Records on Vimeo.

Let it snow!

2011-01-13T13:36:00.000-08:00

The phrase is used to death, but when the earth turns winter white and the winds won't cease to blow, there's nothing left to say but... let it snow!

Taking these pictures proved to be quite the challenge yesterday. I (optimistically) set my camera on my tripod, and scampered to my "posing areas" as quickly as possible... quite a few times, the camera was knocked over. So. Not the best idea to use a tripod during a nor'easter.

The blizzard-like conditions also required a change in footwear. I started out (again, optimistically) wearing a pair of brown lace-up sweater-lined booties (all faux leather and acrylic "wool," FYI, fellow vegan fashionistas!), which have treads on the bottom but also stiletto heels. So. NOT the best idea to wear stilettos in a nor'easter! The things you learn... ;) I switched to my waterproof rubber duck boots, which also have heels, but chunkier ones. Yes, my "snow boots" have heels. My co-workers at the Environmental Police like to tease me over this.

These boots complement what I consider to be a practical winter weather ensemble! My Anthropologie Southward Stop dress is corduroy, and therefore quite warm (side note: I wanted this dress for months; eBay score!). I added a draped, cranberry-colored cardigan for a little extra warmth, along with eggplant-hued sweater tights. When that still proved a tad too chilly, I added a faux leather jacket. No puffer coat required! Really! Ok, truth: I was frozen solid after mere minutes, as my entire outfit was covered in snowflakes. But for a winter wonderland photo shoot? Worth ever freezing second!

And because today was sunny and slightly above freezing, I celebrated with an iced coffee. Yup. Guess I'm more of a New Englander than I thought!

What about you? Did you get buried in snow?

Shoes Got Sole: CSN Stores Product Review

2011-01-11T07:00:00.000-08:00

New year, new shoes, new product review!

CSNStores.com was kind enough to send me a voucher for one of their online stores. I chose ShoesGotSole.com, and after much perusal, decided on this pair of beautiful red booties! I have always wanted a pair of red shoes; I'm usually a pink kind of girl, but red is such a power color!

I decided to build the rest of my ensemble around the shoes. The rosettes are my favorite detail, but to balance, I kept the rest of the outfit a little more menswear-inspired with straight black cords and an oversize vest.

I'm also obsessed with my Eiffel Tower pendant! It goes with everything, I swear. Oui, oui!

Overall, I'm pretty pleased with these sweet new kicks. Thank you to CSN Stores for this great opportunity! For you readers, I hope to kick off the New Year with a new giveaway, soon!

Fashion ballet

2011-01-06T06:00:00.000-08:00

Natalie Portman as Nina Sayers in Black Swan.

Thanks to Black Swan, ballet style is finding its way back onto the center stage of fashion. Dancers and their lithe, graceful figures have long been envied and exalted by the fashion industry, but this spring, we're expected to see a lot more dance-inspired looks on both the runways and the streets. The New York Times recently highlighted this in a 'Ballerina Chic' slide show, where you can view the inspirations behind the costumes in Black Swan (designed by Rodarte) and glimpse how ballet was big in the Spring 2011 shows, and will therefore be all over retail in the coming months.

A department store opening in the U.K. last year, featuring a resplendent ballet theme.

Feeling the dance wear craze coming on? You can get started now... Just pop over to American Apparel for leotards and tights, dust off those old dance shoes and pull on a cozy shrug... You'll be pirouetting en pointe in no time!

Here are a few ballet-inspired looks I cooked up on Polyvore... I love seeing an array of pinks and grays in dance wear. Nothing screams "dancer off-duty" quite like a slouchy gray sweater, sweet ballet flats, and a giant pink bag!

Prima Ballerina by erincathleen featuring long sleeved tops

Of course, I had to include a nod to the darker side of dance, as depicted in both "Swan Lake" and Black Swan's sinister version of the tragic tale...

Paint it Black by erincathleen featuring a feather handbag

But if you find Black Swan to be too twisted a portrayal of a dancer's life, why not look a decade back to Center Stage?

Nina Sayers, meet Jody Sawyer... Now who would win in a dance-off?

Center Stage is a much lighter take on the world of professional ballet, and is one of those films that's so bad, it's good! If you care more about costumes and dance sequences than actual acting, this flick is sure to delight!

An Academy Award winner it is not, but who needs Oscar when you've got happy feet? And, you know, a normal-ish psyche...

Well, I don't know about you, but I'm ready to lace up the toe shoes and don some legwarmers... Dancing makes for great exercise, especially during the winter months when it's too cold to go outside (I'm a cold-weather wimp and won't work out in the snow... unless, of course, I'm skating!). So... Anybody dare to wear a tutu?

You say you want a resolution...

2011-01-03T10:01:00.000-08:00

Happy (belated) New Year, everyone!

Now, I'm not someone who gets into New Year's in a big way. I don't go to crazy NYE parties or brave the cold to watch the ball drop in Times Square. Growing up, I always spent New Years' Eve at my grandparents' house, eating finger foods and watching the ball drop on TV, and that's exactly what I did this year... save for staying up for the countdown. After a six-hour drive, I was exhausted and wound up dropping long before the ball did! But it was still nice to welcome the new year, surrounded by family in my hometown.

[This is not my hometown. This is where I live now. But it's pretty. :)]

But I don't consider the mere change in calendar date to be cause for celebration, or even a time to make new goals. You can set and accomplish goals on any random day of the year, after all. I am constantly making lists and attempting to check things off, one by one, finishing things as I'm able to. And I tend to mark the passage of time by birthdays or, when in school, by semesters. Or, since I've switched occupations many times in the past few years, by a job's start and end dates!

So I'm not going to bore you with a list of my New Year's resolutions, because I don't have any. Around my 26th birthday, however, I was inspired (by a few other bloggers) to make a list of 26 things I'd like to do before I turn 27. After reviewing this, I was surprised that few of my goals have anything to do with work... I found myself writing things like "learn French" and "create comic book."

Career goals have consumed me for a long time, but when I get to the heart of things, the desires that are nearest and dearest to me have more to do with personal enrichment than professional advancement. I always was less ambitious and career-oriented than I was passionate and creative. As I've gotten older, I figured that was bound to change, but I'm happy that my creative spirit is still alive and well. Somewhere, my inner songbird still chirps happily! As stupid as that sounds... But, hey, maybe one of these days I'll get around to sharing some of my songs with you... Wouldn't that be fun? Something I think my blog definitely needs... guitars! And kittens! Yes. I promise to deliver both of those things!

Ok. So this picture happens to have both those things... Yay!

What are some of your goals - we won't call them "resolutions" - this year?

Another year goes by...

2010-12-31T08:00:00.000-08:00

Should old acquaintance be forgot and never brought to mind...

Hard to believe it, but New Year's Eve is upon us! Thank you for sharing this year with me and my blog! Ip & Audrey has grown steadily over the past two years, and I have you to thank. Here's a look at my year in blogging, and a visual reminder that, despite my recent lack of outfit posts, I do have some sense of style, and actually do wear clothes! :)

Winter

Spring

Summer

Fall

Well, it looks like I'm definitely more of a summer blogger! Winter just isn't my season. ;) In summer, well, the days seem longer, so there's always a little more time to fit blogging in. There's my excuse. But I will strive to do better this winter... and get some new outfits posted, stat!

In these photos, you might have noticed the gradual lightening of my hair. New readers might be surprised to learn that I'm a natural blonde and went brown for a while, not the other way around. I'm slowly getting back to my roots (and believe me, blonde roots look funny with dark hair! I looked like Rogue from "X-Men"!), but it's taken a lot of patience, and quite a few salon visits!

Also, I'm guilty of the common fashion blogger sin: looking down. A lot. Maybe my New Years' resolution should be " make eye contact." I'm not promising anything, though! I like to keep these peepers hidden! Blue eyes are especially sensitive to light, and in outdoor photos, I tend to squint a lot! But I'm happy to note that the same pair of Loft sunglasses appeared in nearly every outfit post this year... talk about getting your money's worth!

Well, that's all for this year! So long, 2010! And thank you for your visits, comments and love! I hope peace and happiness find you and keep you in the New Year.

Kisses!

Erin Cathleen

You haven't seen the last of me!

2010-12-29T08:44:00.000-08:00

Hi, all!

This is definitely not going to be my last post before New Year's. Nope. No way. I plan to squeeze in at least one more update before I take off for my holiday festivities in New York. Wee!

I am shocked and awed that 2010 is already coming to an end. It seems like only yesterday, I was making my 2010 resolutions... whoopsies. :) The year flew by! And a few fun things have happened in the past few weeks to keep me super-busy...

First, I took the LSAT. Madness, sheer madness. I don't know how I did yet, though during the test I felt oddly "calmfident" (calm + confident!). My score comes out next week, so I'm crossing my fingers until then! After that, I'll nose-dive into all those fun law school applications...

Second... I adopted a shelter kitten! I've been dying to share this for the past few weeks, but have been so busy chasing her around! She's quite an active little monkey. Her name is Chloe, and she will make her official debut on my blog... soon!

Next post, I will share some resolutions, and perhaps even recap Ip & Audrey's past year... it's been fun! Also, I'm excited to share a CSN Stores product review! It's the first one I've done for them (though we've hosted a few giveaways before). I ordered a pair of shoes and am so stoked for them to arrive and to share my little test drive! Woo-hoo!

In the meantime, I plan to check out Black Swan (for the costumes by Rodarte, of course), and maybe get a new haircut. Nothing says New Year's like a fresh crop! Here's a look I'm currently considering...

These pics of Olivia Palermo, from January's Spanish Vogue, are downright gorgeous (except for the whole smoking thing), so sixties and mod. She reminds me of my beloved Audrey in her seminal role (you know which one; if you don't, glimpse my blog header!). I love the idea of shoulder length hair, though on me, I don't always like the execution. But this is only a few inches shorter than my current style, so I might be brave and undergo a snip! If I chicken out, I'll probably just wind up cutting bangs. Again.

Till next time, then... Ciao, bellas!

Have yourself a vegan little Christmas

2010-12-17T07:40:00.000-08:00

If you or someone you love is an animal-lover, you might be tailoring your holiday celebrations to reflect that compassion. My fellow eco-fashionistas could share endless tips for having an “ever-green” holiday, but what if you choose to eschew animal products? Don’t things get a little trickier? Believe it or not, these days, hosting a cruelty-free celebration is easier than ever.

Consider this an informal guide on how to veganize your holiday. For simplicity’s sake, I’m assigning a difficulty level to each task (though nothing mentioned here is that difficult! Promise!): minimum, moderate and maximum. It’s up to you to decide how much time and effort you’re able to devote to these suggestions. With a little time, thoughtfulness and creativity, your festivities are sure to be a blast! Ready to have the most vegan Christmas of all?

Food!

Food is, of course, the center of any great event. You want your guests to arrive with their mouths watering and leave with their tummies stuffed. Ideally, you also want them to be raving about the food until next Christmas. So how do you accomplish this, and stay vegan? This guide applies to both vegan hosts puzzling over what to serve their omnivore friends, and omnis who have no idea what to feed the vegans!

You can feed them all of this. It's veg-friendly!

Minimum effort

Serve up a veggie platter with pretzels and hummus. Simple as that. You can buy platters with raw vegetables already cut, or you can hit up the market, grab a ton of different veggies (lots of colors = healthy!) and slice ‘em up yourself. It’s pretty easy and will be a hit with vegans and omnis alike. Because who doesn’t like to scarf down party veggies and dip?

Moderate effort

Veggie chili! Chili is a major crowd-pleaser, especially in the winter, and is one of the easiest dishes to veganize. If you’re pressed for time, you can buy vegetarian chili just about anywhere… Amy’s makes a canned vegan chili, and even offers a few different flavors (some mild, some super-spicy). Buy several cans, heat ‘em up on the stove, and serve with tortilla chips and vegan shredded “cheese” (also available at most supermarkets). If you have the time, it’s really rewarding (and healthier!) to cook your own. I would make it the day before your fête, so the flavors in the chili have time to marry. You can find awesome vegetarian chili recipes just about anywhere; when in doubt, Google! I like to make black bean chili, and my recipe (if you can call it that; I call it throwing a bunch of ingredients in a big pot and heating it!) is pretty simple. All you need is…

Olive oil
2 cans of (sodium-free) crushed tomatoes, 1 can tomato paste
2 cans each of (organic, sodium-free) black beans and kidney beans
1 carton organic vegetable broth (or No-Chicken broth; that one has great flavor)
2-3 peppers (it looks fun to do red, yellow and orange!), 1 white onion, 2 cloves garlic, several scallions or chives (for garnish)
Chili powder, cumin, black pepper, to taste

Here’s my fuss-free recipe… Dice up your garlic, white onion and peppers, then sautée them in olive oil on medium heat in a separate skillet while you begin to heat your broth in a soup pot. When the broth is warm and the veggies sautéed, add the veggies to the broth. Stir and continue to heat while you add in the cans of tomatoes and tomato paste. Drain 3 of your 4 cans of beans (I save some of the liquid and add it to the soup for flavor) and add them to the pot. Save one can of beans (black or kidney, doesn’t matter) and mash the beans up before adding them (this thickens the brew; you don’t have to blend them perfectly – I just use a fork – but if you want the soup to be super-smooth, you could always throw the beans into a food processor). Keep heating until the veggies are soft (but not soggy) and the soup is hot enough… it takes me less than 30 minutes. Season it up, garnish with green onions or chives, vegan cheese or sour cream, tortilla chips, whatever you like! Done!

Maximum effort

Try your hand at some of the gourmet vegetarian recipes featured on The New York Times online, created by top chefs for Thanksgiving (awesome for Christmas and New Years', too!). Serve up an entire meal of savory vegan dishes, like the Tempeh and Wild Mushroom Fricasse and Maple-Roasted Brussel Sprouts. Your guests will be too busy oohing and ahhing over the beauty of these foods to even notice that they’re missing meat!

Treats!

Minimum

Candy in a pretty dish is always a welcome site on your holiday table. Plenty of popular candies are also vegan—check out VegFamily’s “I Can’t Believe It’s Vegan” list, or PETA’s “Accidentally Vegan” page for proof. I would head over to Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s, or the local natural foods store, and grab some organic dark chocolate truffles. Brew some organic, fair-trade espresso to serve with this decadent dessert!

Moderate

Make vegan s’mores! No baking is required, and you can find all of your ingredients at Whole Foods. If you don’t have a Whole Foods nearby, don’t fret; all of these vegan goodies can be found online, so try to order well ahead of time! I recommend using Whole Food’s 365 graham crackers (yum), but Nabisco’s are also vegan. Grab some bars of organic dark chocolate (I go foodie-crazy and buy gourmet kinds, like raspberry or hazelnut). And don’t forget the – ta da! – vegan marshmallows (non-vegetarian ones contain gelatin). Whole Foods carries Sweet and Sara, and you can find Dandie’s (which most resemble “real” marshmallows) online (right on Amazon! Nice).

Can’t assemble vegan s’more stuff in time? You can make a quick, delicious, nutritious dessert with sliced-up fruit and chocolate fondue… just be sure the melted chocolate doesn’t contain eggs or dairy! Strawberries, raspberries, kiwis or mangoes would all be extra-tasty drizzled in chocolate… Mmm.

Maximum

Try your hand at vegan cupcakes! It will take you longer than it would to simply buy a dessert, but think of the fun you’ll have trying something new. Your super cookbook? Vegan Cupcakes Take Over the World!

Gifts!

‘Tis the season, after all. Holiday gift-giving is all about showing how much you care. Show the vegan in your life that you care about her causes and convictions by giving her something meaningful… and if you’re the vegan gift-giver, what better way to inform your family and friends than with thoughtful, compassionate gifts?

Minimum

Sponsor an animal! This is easier than ever, thanks to the internet. Dozens of organizations offer animal sponsorships on their websites, from Defenders of Wildlife to Farm Sanctuary to the World Wildlife Fund… your options are endless. You can spend a lot or spend a little, and rest assured knowing that your gift is making a difference and a positive impact on the life of an animal. Plus… you’ll get a cute stuffed toy!

Moderate

I think one of the sweetest, most thoughtful gifts you can give is a basket full of your loved one’s favorite things. Like the option above, you can spend a little or a lot, and still find a way to make the gift recipient smile. For the vegan in your life, how about filling a gift basket up with yummy vegan treats, like dark chocolate, coffee, and more of those marshmallows? You could also include a vegan guide or cookbook (lately, I’m loving “The Vegan Girl’s Guide to Life”), and maybe some sweet little lotions, soaps and lip balm (just be sure to read the ingredients first! If you have any worries about beauty products, check out LeapingBunny.org for a list of just about any and every cosmetic that’s cruelty-free).

Maximum

Indulge in vegan fashion! If you’ve got a big budget, give the gift of warmth with a coat by Vaute Couture. These eco-, animal-friendly coats are arguably the most fashion-savvy in the green garment industry. Yes, they cost a pretty penny, but are no more expensive than a quality wool coat. Like a designer garment, they’ll last a lifetime; unlike mainstream designer coats, no animals are harmed in the making! Vaute Couture also makes their coats in the U.S.A., without child labor or other sketchy manufacturing practices.

If a coat proves too pricey, check out these brands of vegan, eco-friendly handbags (some of which I’ve shared before): Susan Nichole, Matt & Nat, Nahui Ollin. All three of these companies use recycled materials in their designs… the latter uses recycled candy wrappers! And even though this gift is listed under “maximum” effort, it couldn’t be easier to snap one of these up… all are available online. And if price is an issue, try a vegan wallet! They’re less expensive, but the sentiment is still the same.

Feel free to try any (or all) of these tips and report back to me! I’d love to know how you like to spend your holidays. I’ll try to save you some yummy vegan treats! ;)

Christmas is coming?!?

2010-12-08T10:19:00.000-08:00

My, but where did the time go? Oh, I know. I've been ~~cramming~~ studying vigilantly for the December LSAT. The test is this Saturday, and even though I've been prepping since September, I don't feel nearly as ready as I should. This is because I've been attempting to balance prep time with a full-time job and other stressors. But hey, that's life. There's never going to be an easy or convenient time to do everything, so I just need to get on with it! It's just one of those things... I know it's a big, important test and could seriously impact my future. Or not. I could always do something else. So I'm trying not to take it too seriously. It's like this one time in high school, when I accidentally signed up for the ASVAB instead of the pre-SAT, so I wound up sitting for it... and found out that, apparently, I have an aptitude for engineering. Which was hilarious to me, since I've always been your quintessential writer-y type. Needless to say, with my poor track record in math and science, I did not wind up pursuing an engineering degree! Anyway, no big deal; it was just a test. I've never been a strong test-taker but have always been a good student, so we'll see what happens. Even though it's been a good four, five years since I've taken any kind of exam (the perks of being a writing major!), I'm just going to chill out and do my best to rock that LSAT. In the face.

But goodness, I feel woefully unprepared for the holiday season! Time to start that Christmas shopping and making some serious holly and jolly. Ha. These elfin booties from Modcloth should help!They're adorably impractical and whimsical. But wouldn't they be sweet for opening presents around the tree? Or waiting under the mistletoe for that special someone? Or, heck, just running amok around the mall, pretending you're a Christmas elf? Want!

And, hey, Santa, this floral dress is pretty sweet, too. Just saying.

Totally not meaning to be a billboard for Modcloth here; their stuff is just too cute. And we bloggers all lurve them to pieces.

And Santa? While you're at it, you can absolutely come trim my Christmas tree with some decorations from Tiffany. And what not. Yeah.

So tell me! The holidays are HERE, people. Crazy. How do you deal?

California Dreamin'

2010-11-23T11:19:00.001-08:00

The blustery New England wind can blow all it wants, but I'm keeping warm with daydreams of sunny California. Since the story I'm working on is set in L.A., I decided to create a West Coast-inspired Polyvore set... and fantasize about hopping on a plane, flying off into the sunset! Here are some looks I envision my fictional character wearing... shopping for vintage at Wasteland, cruising the Venice Beach boardwalk, hiking in Runyon Canyon... ok, so these are not exactly hiking clothes, but you get the idea. Here is my dream wardrobe for L.A., where I wouldn't even have to think of a winter coat!

La La Land by erincathleen featuring a black hat

Yes, I'm in total denial that winter is on its way. Tell me, what do you dream of wearing when the weather turns frosty?

Writing La La Land

2010-11-23T09:25:00.000-08:00

Life has been pretty crazy for this aspiring fashion writer of late. So today, I'd thought a share a little of my latest project with you all... I'm working on a novel (November is National Novel Writing Month, after all!) that could accurately be categorized as "chick lit," or even its subcategory, "shoe lit," though I prefer to think of it as a screwball comedy in the vain of a Doris Day/Rock Hudson film featuring a plucky female lead and dashing leading man... yes, I picture it as more of a film. Maybe I will turn it into a screenplay, eventually. For now, I've got a first chapter that's rife with fashion cliches and vapidity, but still a lot of fun. So, I thought why not post an excerpt here and see what you think? Then tell me, what creative pursuits have you been working on lately?

I’ve been working at Star Tracker since my 24^th birthday. After surviving various retail jobs around Los Angeles, including, but not limited to, a year and a half as a Coffee Bean barista and one epic day as a shoe saleswoman, landing an administrative assistant position at Star Tracker made me feel like I’d struck gold. Sure, I was a mere receptionist, quickly relegated to 'coffee slave' status, but still, I was overjoyed— I earned twice as much fetching coffee as I did slinging it.

I stuck out the position for over two years, gradually piping up to Gloria Bishop, editor-in-chief, that I could write and edit, too. After all, I did have a communications degree, along with a few decent newspaper and publishing internships. I took on as many editing projects as possible while sitting at the front desk, and maintained my own fashion blog on the side (which, ahem, I never updated on the job). Impressed with my work ethic, Gloria promoted me to editorial assistant when there was an opening. I worked primarily in the news room, though I was ultimately aiming for the fashion department. Imagine my surprise when, a year later, I was promoted to assistant beauty editor. And that’s the title I’ve held ever since. If I stick around, there’s a chance I could become the beauty editor, but I’m not holding my breath. “Fashion Editor” is all I’ve ever wanted, but that job belongs to the fierce Vanessa Cane. And she’s not letting it go anytime soon, no more than she would drop an Alexander McQueen clutch at a sample sale.

But that doesn’t mean I can’t volunteer to pick up her slack, when needed. Truth be told, I can be a bit of kiss-up at work. It’s not like I love my job to death and want to stay here forever; but I do like my job, and wouldn’t mind advancing as much as I can and getting a solid recommendation before I attempt to work at another magazine. And, just between you and me, I’m really sick of beauty. I know many women, especially L.A. ones, live and die by their beauty products, but it’s never really been my thing. I mean, it’s been three years since I started working in beauty editorial, and I still haven’t got a clue how to keep my self-tanner from streaking. And I swear by drugstore brands, which most of the other girls find deplorable. Sure, I like Nars the Multiple too, but not when I have to pay for it myself; and why spend a week’s worth of groceries when blush by Maybelline works just as well? But, then, whenever I receive a high-end beauty sample, I’m as giddy as any other girl.

So today I’m planning to stage a little coup d'état in the fashion department. There’s a big shoot coming up next week with some major film stars, and I desperately want to pull some of the looks for the spread. It’s a major opportunity because Star Tracker usually relies on paparazzi photos of celebrities and rarely stages its own fashion shoots; this one is unique because it’s for our holiday fashion issue (which was mainly my idea, though no one will give me credit for it; no one “remembers” that I started pitching it back in July). Anyway, I’ve offered my assistance for the past few months, but no one is biting. Now that I’ve learned that Lucy and Vanessa are swamped, however, I feel like there’s a very good chance that Gloria will delegate some tasks to me. I hope.

I take a deep breath and approach her office door, knocking cautiously.

“Gloria, could I have a moment?”

“Yes,” she clips in her British accent, “only very briefly, as I’m trying to concentrate.”

I venture in and see she’s clutching the latest People StyleWatch.

“Ah, StyleWatch,” I point out, attempting a joke. “I hear there are some pretty good 'articles' this month.”

“It’s all right,” Gloria muses, flipping a page. “A tad wordy for my tastes, though. So what can I do for you?”

Oh, boy. I’m tempted to rub my clammy palms on my J. Crew skirt, but Gloria would notice. Instead I clasp them in front of me.

“Well,” I begin. “I know we’re all gearing up for the holiday issue, and it’s come to my attention that Lucy and Vanessa seem a bit… overwhelmed. I was wondering if I might take on a few extra projects to relieve the fashion department next week.”

There, I’ve said it. Gloria arches one perfectly shaped brow, pondering.

“I see.” She closes her magazine and sets it down, then looks up at me. “Amy, do you know why I hired you as assistant beauty editor?”

Other than throwing me a bone with a promotion after three years of enslaved drudgery, I couldn’t say. I just shake my head “no.”

“I was impressed with your adherence to deadlines and overall tenacity. But mainly, I gave you the job because you have flawless skin.”

My hand flies to my cheek, self-consciously. Really? I’m flattered, as superficial as it sounds, and can feel my face getting hot.

“This shows that you care about beauty. Plus you always recommend pharmacy brands; readers really like that.”

Well, gee, I want to say, shocking that stay-at-home moms in the Midwest and college students can’t afford to run out and buy La Mer. This assistant beauty editor in L.A. can’t afford it, either! Why would I recommend anything I wouldn’t use myself? But there’s no point in bringing this up to Gloria.

“So while I would like to see you in fashion, I really would, I can’t help but think that you simply belong in beauty. Fashion is a great place to work, but let’s be honest, Amy. You’ve never shown much initiative there.”

What?!? I want to scream. I’ve shown plenty of freaking initiative over the years! What about all the looks I’ve pulled, the stories I’ve pitched, the way I’ve pushed the holiday fashion issue? Does all of that count for nothing?

“I mean, look at Vanessa,” Gloria is still talking, somehow. I swivel a glance over my shoulder at the fashion editor, who is prancing around in a curve-hugging Louis Vuitton sheath with sleek Louboutins, accessorized with a Chanel bag. Of course. Just another day at the office for her. I want to mention to Gloria that Vanessa has maxed out fifteen credit cards and lives off celery, but manage to hold my tongue.

“Vanessa,” Gloria continues, “brings her dedication and expertly-honed fashion sense into work every day.” She gives me a disapproving once-over. “I’m afraid I can’t say the same for you.”

I glance down at my floral Anthropologie cardigan, which wasn’t cheap, mind you, and J. Crew brocade skirt, paired with chic, and affordable, nude pumps from Aldo. It’s one of my favorite outfits. It’s comfortable, polished and office-appropriate. Is Gloria telling me that the only way I can work in fashion is by going into serious debt wearing haute couture? To the office?

Ah. She’s read my mind. “I do like your mish-mash of H&M and Target clothes, dear, but it’s rather dowdy, I’m afraid. I would think if you were so interested in fashion, you’d try something a little more… edgy.” Dismissively, she picks up her StyleWatch again. “So until I see some more initiative from you, I’m afraid you’ll have to stay right where you are. Besides, I still need you to submit your selections for next week’s beauty editorial. And if I don’t see Chanel’s holiday nail polish collection, we’re going to have a serious problem.”

Bam. Gloria’s written me off, just like that. Still, my foot is in the door, literally, so I’m not about to give up that easily.

“I understand, Gloria,” I say sweetly. “I’ll try to make more of an effort. But in the meantime, I think the fashion department could really use a few extra hands on this shoot. And,” I can’t resist adding, “My editorial is nearly finished. I’ll have it to you this afternoon.”

“Well…” Gloria doesn’t bother looking up from her magazine. “Let’s see what Vanessa thinks, shall we? Vanessa!”

Great. Not Vanessa. The whole point of approaching Gloria was so I could go over Vanessa’s head, and my assistance would be an order from above that she couldn’t refuse. Now Gloria is giving her a choice. And Vanessa doesn’t like doing anyone any favors.

She comes bounding over, her long, silky blonde waves making her look like an eager golden retriever. “Yes, Gloria?”

Gloria, still pretending to be immersed in StyleWatch, simply says, “Amy would like to help with the fashion editorial for next week’s shoot. Could you see if there’s some little task she could do?”

Vanessa, too, gives my outfit a once-over, and seems to curl her lips in disgust. Nice.

“I suppose she could help with the steaming,” Vanessa sniffs. She? Vanessa is looking right at me as she says this, but can’t be bothered to address me herself.

“Very good.” Gloria waves her hand. “Off you go, then.”

Vanessa smirks at me as she slinks back to her desk.

Steaming? I want to scream. I haven’t steamed garments since I worked retail. That’s something interns do, and they work for free. What about the editorial? I’m opening my mouth to protest when Lucy cuts in.

“Gloria, really. Can’t we just get the interns to do it? We’ve got, like, twenty more looks to pull, and I think we could really use Amy’s eye. She’d make a killer stylist, you know.” She gives me a wink, then turns a hopeful face to Gloria. Vanessa, meanwhile, is shooting her assistant a death glare.

I can see Gloria considering this. Lucy is awesome. She’s never afraid to stick her neck out for someone else. She doesn’t even care if she gets reprimanded, since she only took this job so she could one day start her own styling business. She vows she’ll quit the minute she has enough money saved up. Only problem is, to look the part of an on-trend stylist, Lucy has to stay in fashion… and spend a lot of money trying. Every time she drains her savings account for great vintage, she swears it’s a business investment. Fashion is full of double-edged swords like this. But Lucy promises to hire me as her assistant once business is booming. This is why she’s my best friend in the office, even if her job is way cooler than mine and I secretly hate her for it.

© Erin C. Dale 2010

And there you have it. Thanks for reading if you got to the end of this scene! I'll keep you posted on any future developments. I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving! I'll be in New York for the weekend and hope to have some fun photos to share when I get back.

About face

2010-11-09T07:11:00.000-08:00

We've had a few interesting debates on here lately, from dealing with skin care woes to whether or not to wear animal skins. I love hearing all of you weigh in! Now I want to take a moment to further discuss these issues.

No moisturizer? Results!

A few weeks ago, I wrote about visiting a new dermatologist who told me I could defeat acne by simply cutting out moisturizer. As in completely. As in... Sahara Desert Face? Some of you shared that - surprise! - you agree, and never touch the stuff yourself. Others felt, like me, that they would simply shrivel up and die without it. So what's the verdict? My results have been mixed.

After my first day of skipping lotion, my face felt predictably dry and itchy. But instead of panicking and reaching for the nearest tube, I decided to wait it out. Eventually, my skin got a bit of a dewy, not oily, sheen, but overall looked pretty matte. When I added makeup, it stayed fairly matte, but only if I stuck to just concealer and mineral powder (the brand I use may contain some oil; I'm researching so I can swap it out). If I used foundation, my skin got dry and scaly. After moisturizing one particularly dry spot (I had to!), a pimple appeared the next day. This one was stubborn and stuck around for nearly a week! But I toughed it out and stopped moisturizing again. Now I've taken to exfoliating any dry skin gently with warm washcloth. I've switched to Cetaphil cleanser, and it seems to be working because it's super gentle (it drives me crazy that it doesn't foam, though!).

So for those of you afraid of foregoing lotion, like me... if you have oily skin, I recommend that you give it a shot. I thought that I had combination, not oily, skin, but skipping moisturizer has allowed the dry and oily zones on my face to even out. My complexion isn't perfect, but I feel confident with less makeup now. We'll see how things go in winter months, when I will probably need a dab of lotion here and there to avoid Desert Face. Otherwise, I'm sticking with the no-lotion plan!

When I do use moisturizer (naughty, naughty), I find that Neutrogena's oil-free formula for combination skin works best for me. I've tried other "oil-free" formulas from more high-end brands, but this one seems to be the least pore-clogging, most moisturizing lotion of them all. And it doesn't make my face too shiny! Win.

Leathering frights?

Sorry, lame attempt at a pun. Anyway, last week I posted a few faux-leather bags that are chic enough to pass for the real thing but at budget-friendly prices. You chimed in that you while you like to snap up a bargain from time to time, for the most part you prefer leathergoods for their durability.

Years back, I would have said the same thing (I would have also made a wisecrack about enjoying steak). I used to prize my collection of Fossil bags and my mom's eighties-era tan bomber jacket. And actually, I still own a few (vintage) leather items in my wardrobe: tan Frye boots bought for a song ($10 thrift find!) and an evergreen Oscar de la Renta purse. These are timeless, cherished pieces.

But they were purchased in my pre-vegetarian days. Now that I eschew animal products in my diet, I feel it would be hypocritical for me to wear animals on my person. I know that not everyone out there shares my views, obviously, or there would be no leather or fur in fashion (eco-conscious designers like Stella McCartney are working on that, however!). And of course, I would love to own a Chanel bag as much as the next fashion blogger. But I can't ignore my convictions, and how queasy it makes me feel to think of animals being electrocuted and ripped apart for their skins. Once upon a time, people needed animal skins and furs to keep warm; in the modern era, it's just unnecessary, and I can't justify animals suffering for the sake of fashion. These convictions are part of who I am, and the main reason I plan to eventually study and practice animal law. That might just be my special mission in life. I'm not asking you to do the same, but I am asking you to consider these things when you shop.

"Moo!" = "I love you."

Some of you have astutely pointed out that PVC (polyvinyl chloride), a chemically-produced thermoplastic material often used as a leather alternative, is arguably more harmful to the earth than leather, as the latter will naturally break down over time. And I agree; PVC is much more destructive for the planet. Obviously leather is more harmful to the animals. And obviously, I would have to choose the lesser of two evils here. But a true environmentalist would probably say no to both, and simply go vintage. A lot of my fellow fashion bloggers have a mean talent for thrifting, and I admire that!

What we need in the fashion marketplace are stylish, cruelty-free bags that will please even the most discerning shoppers, not just eco-fashionistas. Believe it or not, there are plenty of great up and coming designers who offer just that. To create bags that are fashion-forward, animal-friendly, and with leather's durability, these handbag crafters often reach for recycled materials. Here are a few of my favorite brands:

Matt & Nat

I'm sure you've heard of this stellar company by now. Trailblazers in the eco-fashion movement, Matt & Nat's "vegan leather" bags are made from some surprising recycled materials (paper! plastic water bottles?). And they look amazing! They are very high-fashion, and the prices are a little steep, but no more than you'd pay for, say, a purse from a good department store. The company's most recent endeavor is a partnership with Apple, creating stylish laptop bags.

Susan Nichole

Endorsed by vegan superwoman Alicia Silverstone, who features only the most eco-friendly products on her blog, these bags are crafted from recyclable materials, so no worries about them one day rotting in a landfill. And, oh, they're pretty! This is my favorite:

Maxine Dillon

Now here's a cool concept: got a jacket you never wear anymore but can't bear to part with? L.A. designer Maxine Dillon will upcycle it into a slouchy-chic bag. The bucket shape was a huge bag trend this year, so you'll look like you nabbed a cool new it-bag... sourced from your own closet! What an ingenious way to give that boyfriend jean jacket a second life.

You're all savvy shoppers, so if you can think of any other great brands or designers that deserve to be spotlighted, do share! As always, thanks for speaking your mind!

Best in Faux

2010-11-03T10:44:00.000-07:00

As an animal-loving vegetarian, I love it when fashion meets compassion. Luckily for me (and any of you who prefer not to wear animal skins, and love saving a greenback or two), there are more faux fashion options out there than ever. I never have a problem finding great bags or shoes that resemble high-end pieces-- my black Aldo purse with gold hardware is so used and abused, it looks just like my mom's broken-in Coach bag, and I live in my faux-leather western booties from Zara! I could easily gush over wallet/animal-friendly finds enough to fill an entire website. But for simplicity's sake, today I'm going to focus on bags from two savvy online retailers. Here are a few of my favorite fall/winter beauties that will help hold your stuff and keep your outfits looking hot when temperatures drop!

This versatile plaid bag from ShopRuche.com reminds me of one from L.L. Bean, but the slouchy shape makes it a bit more fashion-forward. It's still every bit as functionable as a sturdy tote, but the gold details keep it chic! You won't be mistaken for a lumberjack with this!

Ruche also sells this structured tote for the business profashional. But the Debriefing bag isn't strictly business; the braided handle and twist-turn lock add a vintage, feminine vibe. Perfect for work or weekend!

It-Brit online retailer Asos finally launched its U.S. site last month and, boy, are we lucky! In addition to offering up-to-the-minute fashions at sweet prices, it has a fantastic accessories section. The Maisey Patent bag by Paul's Boutique has been seen on the likes of Leona Lewis, who is a vegan and known for eschewing animal materials. This bag is available is many colors, but I love this winter white; the nude shade will work well into spring and summer, too. And the colorful charms are too cute to resist!

Lastly, feast your eyes on this Asos Faux Ostrich Lady Bag. This reminds me of one Urban Outfitters sold last year, but I think this pick is even more sophisticated. This tote will lend polish to work and casual ensembles and, in a classic camel color, will never go out of style. Plus you can feel good sporting a rockin' bag and knowing that no actual ostriches were harmed for the sake of style!

Just so you know, no one paid me to blog about these purses; these are just my latest faves/wish list items. I hope to purchase something like one of these in the near future, but always look for vintage, thrifted or eco-friendly versions first (and while faux leather bags are animal-free, their materials are not always good for Mama Earth!). Tell me, where are your favorite places to nab accessories? And how do you feel about real vs. faux?

Next time, we'll get back to discussing our great debate: moisturizer! Evil zit-maker or sacred face-saver? You decide!

Got acne? Your moisturizer may be to blame

2010-10-27T09:52:00.000-07:00

Ok you guys, I know I promised that I would rotate all the clothes in my wardrobe, and share daily outfit posts here. But you know what they say about the best laid plans... Life has just gotten crazy. And I'm seriously in the middle of a quarterlife crisis. I mean, I just started seeing a new dermatologist, and he told me to stop moisturizing. I mean, what? This simply defies everything that every Cosmo girl in America has been taught about modern skincare! Cleanse, tone, moisturize. Every day. All the time. That's the routine; never waiver! Right? So, is my new doc a loony, or does he have a valid point? I decided to find out.

Ah, you feel so good. How could you be bad? If loving you is wrong, I don't wanna be right!

First off, I Googled (I mean, who wouldn't. Duh.). Many, many dermatology and medical websites claim that moisturizing is an essential part of a skincare routine. Ha! Just like I thought. "Experts" (at least, I hope they're experts) claim that moisturizing is needed to treat acne, because most topical acne meds are drying, and overly-dry skin can lead to more breakouts. But my derm swears that too much oil leads to breakouts (makes sense, actually), and that if we all would just leave our skin alone, it will produce enough oil to keep it hydrated. When I protested that my skin is super-dry and needs moisturizer, he said it's not my skin that's dry, but the products I'm using are drying it out. Using moisturizer is "a cultural thing." No way. He said that when you apply moisturizer, it's like rubbing in excess oil. But all of my products are oil-free! Not good enough, he said; even supposedly "oil-free" products can clog pores. Well, what about makeup? "We encourage people to use makeup," he said. "Makeup covers a multitude of sins."

But isn't makeup comedogenic? Apparently not. My doc says that since makeup sits on the surface of your skin, it doesn't penetrate enough to do any real damage; unlike moisturizer, which gets absorbed right away and seeps into your pores. Gross. So my derm gave me a sample of Cetaphil cleanser, told me to use that, and only that, and promised that I would notice a difference. "Stop moisturizing, and you will stop having acne breakouts." Just like that, eh? Well, heck. I'm 25 and have tried just about every acne treatment out there (I'm one of those who never broke out as a teen, but the minute I turned 20... spot city in my T-zone!) with mixed results. Sometimes I'll find what I deem a "miracle product," only to have my skin rebel within a few weeks of treatment. My skin, in addition to being breakout-prone, is crazy sensitive, and seems to ultimately reject whatever products I feed it. I have tried multiple brands. I have tried changing my diet. I have tried drinking tons of water. But the one thing I haven't tried? Not moisturizing. Even though the idea completely freaks me out, I've simply got to try it. What if my doc is right? I mean, he's the one with a dermatology degree, not me. Cosmo and Glamour are great and all, but my favorite magazines can't be my sole authority on skincare.

Step away from the moisturizer!

I'm worried that my face is going to look and feel like the Sahara, but other than that, I've got nothing to lose! So. Can I reduce my own dependency on oil? Check back to find out...

What about you? Are you completely dependent on your moisturizer? If so, what brand do you swear by? Every girl has a skincare story, and I'd love to hear from you!

Cleaning Out my Closet: The Becky Challenge

2010-10-13T10:49:00.000-07:00

This was me this past weekend:

My bedroom was in horrid need of an update, and my closet was in quite a state. I'm not as bad as Becky Bloomwood, but close! Dutifully, I dug through my belongings, creating piles of clothes to either save/donate/sell on e-bay. It was a lot of work! But I'm trying to be more of a minimalist (ha), and have heard stylists say that it's better to have a small wardrobe full of pieces you love than a massive one full of stuff you never wear. It's overwhelming! Besides, I'd rather save up for one chic piece I love and know I'll wear forever than go crazy at budget stores, and wind up with too many trendy pieces that will just fall apart next season. If this is your guilty pleasure, too, no judgment; as an entry-level employee, I understand how tempting it is to stick with the cheap stuff, simply because it's affordable. And don't get me wrong, I can't resist popping into Urban Outfitters and H&M from time to time! But I'm trying to browse more, buy less, and overall become a more cautious, responsible consumer.

And, oh, the eco-guilt! As a writer who usually covers environmental topics, I have to wonder wear my clothes and accessories come from, exactly what they're made of, who made them, and whether or not the maker(s) earn a decent living. The sad truth is, they probably don't. It's my personal goal to frequent mass market retailers less and less, and support independent eco-fashion designers and fair trade companies as much as possible! Will you help keep me accountable?

Inspired by Becky's challenge in the latest Shopaholic novel, I want to wear every item in my wardrobe at least once before I buy anything new*. Sounds crazy, right? I admit, I have a lot of clothing. Who knows, if I take this challenge literally, I might not have to do any shopping for over a year! (Which, sickeningly enough, makes me kind of sad! I'll have to get over that!)

After completing this challenge, I want to take the money I've saved and invest in an eco-fashion item, whether it's a pair of ultra-chic Olsen Haus shoes, a compassionate coat by Vaute Couture or a gorgeous piece by Stewart + Brown. And, yes, I'll be sure to bank my money, too! In general, I need to cut back all my spending... in this economy, I'm sure we all do. Right?

In keeping with my new pledge, I will attempt to document my progress by creating an inventory of every clothing item owned and keeping track of when it's worn. Naturally, I'll be documenting the entire challenge here. This will mean regular outfit posts, which I will try to adhere to on a daily basis! It will be fun to come up with new outfits using old favorites. Time to reduce, reuse, remix and restyle!

So check back to see if I can survive the Becky Challenge! Want to participate? Drop me an line! ipandaudrey@gmail.com

Happy styling!

*I'm not counting thrift/vintage! That would hardly be fair. Besides, shopping for used goods is green! :)

Things to Love: October

2010-10-07T13:33:00.000-07:00

It's fall! Let's give a cheer! I simply will not stop gushing that my favorite season is here. So if you grow weary of it... sorry! I am proud to be a fall baby (though I am not looking forward to my next birthday! Ugh! This is officially the year that I start lying about my age...).

So. I'll keep this brief, so I can dash off to StyleFixx's Girls Night Out! Tomorrow I'll probably have a few pictures to share. Today... I'm sharing a few things I'm loving this month:

The best book. I freaked when I realized this was out! I hope the Shopaholic series never ever ends. Ever!Look who else has a fashionista book coming out! Lauren Conrad's style tome (appropriately titled Lauren Conrad Style) actually looks like fun. I'm sure ~~her ghostwriter~~ LC has lots of trendy tips to share!

These awesome Aldo boots. Sorry the picture is so big, but these boots are epic! And they're vegan-friendly, made of canvas and rubber! No leather! I'll bet you couldn't even tell. ^_^ Perfect for thrashing through autumn leaves, don't you think?

Wish I could make this dress picture bigger, for it, too, is epic. I've drooled over this bird print corduroy shirt dress every time I've gone to Anthropologie. It's so sweet, I long to spirit it away! Emily's adorable H&M version is another viable option, and a much more affordable one!

Annnd... Finally...

Ok, so this isn't news. The PSL has been back since September. But who cares? I'm still celebrating.

Happy fall, everyone! Now go have some fun.