Vegan Shoe Line Beyond Skin Needs Your Help

Fashionable vegan footwear line Beyond Skin needs your help!

Beyond Skin is a 10 year old, self-funded, indie, UK vegan footwear label dedicated to designing cruelty-free, luxury shoes for stylish, discerning ladies.  Their current line is considered more of a luxury “boutique” one, meaning high style at a slightly higher price point.  Although the luxury line is fabulous, they have aspirations to create a new diffusion line.  This one will feature 10 styles, which have been designed for everyday wear at a more affordable price-point. This to me is a fantastic idea, being it’ll bring vegan and ethical footwear to the masses and a more pocket friendly price.  Plus, they’re all classic styles meaning they go with everything and will last season after season.

To help fund their new line, they created a Kickstarter campaign.  It’s only live for another 15 days, so if you want to support vegan fashion for the masses, be sure to do so today!

You learn more about the Kickstarter campaign as well as it’s perks by visiting here.

Come See Me At the Seed This Weekend

If you are in the New York City area this weekend, be sure to check out the Seed Expo.  I’ll be speaking!

The Seed is a huge vegan event being held from May 18th and 19th here in NYC at 82 Mercer. There will be lots of delicious vegan food, products, services, world-renowned speakers, films, and more. Best part about the Seed is it’s designed around a more “veg-curious” crowd, meaning if you are not currently vegan but are interested in the lifestyle, it’s a great place to come on out and see what it’s all about.

To my surprise, the organizers of the event have invited me to be a featured speaker! I’m on at 4:15 on Saturday, and will be talking about how to successfully transition to a cruelty-free wardrobe.

Will you be attending the Seed? If so I’d love to meet you so let me know!

Inside Out in Times Square

WHAT I’M WEARING // YASO Faux Leather Jacket // H&M Blouse // MAVI Jeans (Old) // CHINESE LAUNDRY Leopard Loafers (old, via Delia’s) // HURLEY Backpack // JUSTFAB Sunglasses

Last Friday, Jim and I took our friends Gina and Mark to MOMA and then headed slightly cross-town to Times Square.  The street artist JR currently has the Inside Out Project set up there and we wanted to check it out and hopefully get to participate.

JR is best known for his portraits, so as part of this project he’s taking portraits of New Yorkers throughout the 5 boroughs and installing them in areas around the city.  To make the process crazy efficient, they have a fully outfitted photography studio truck, so they’ve been moving the truck from neighborhood to neighborhood.  If you visit their Facebook Page, the portraits done around the Rockaways and other Sandy stricken areas are so powerful it makes me well up.  I highly recommend checking it out.

We had heard the photo truck was in Times Square so we took a quick walk over to see if we could participate.  Sadly, they weren’t there due to a 10k race being set up for the weekend.  But we still had a great time enjoying the incredible weather and checking out all the portraits pasted to the sidewalks.

Gina and I also wanted to take the opportunity to take our own portraits amongst the portraits.  How meta, right?

The Inside Out Project is supposed to be in Times Square through May 10th. Jim and I are still hoping to make it there one day after work to get ours done. If you participate you have the option to either have it pasted at the site, or to take it home with you. We’d love to have the portraits for our apartment, so fingers crossed we’ll be able to make it happen!

Neon I’ve Missed You

WHAT I’M WEARING // YASSO Faux Leather Jacket // AMERICAN APPAREL Tee // VICTORIA’S SECRET Jeggings // WANTED Studded Loafers // CORNELIA GUEST Bag

The one thing that I didn’t like about having bright red hair is that it clashed horribly with neon. Last summer I went on a huge neon kick and picked up tons of pieces in highlighter yellow.  I absolutely love it!  But alas, I couldn’t have both the awesome red hair and the neon with it, so I’ve gone months without wearing one of my favorite colors.

Now that my hair is back to my natural color, that means I can wear it again.  Oh neon, I’ve missed you!

On a totally unrelated note, this entire week I’ve had to wear flats and I’m so not used to it.  I had broken my foot a few years ago and noticed this week after an intense Crossfit session it was starting to bother me in the same exact place.  For fear I may have re-fractured it, I figured it best I stay off of it and stick to flats for the next week or so to allow it to get back to normal.  I miss my heels though!

Is there a color you love that you feel forced to stay away from?

Vegan Versions / Iridescent

STELLA MCCARTNEY // Iridescent Sequined Top$877.48

Though we’re still pretty early into spring, one big trend you can expect to see a lot of this season is iridescent. Iridescent doesn’t necessarily mean sequins and shimmer, but more of a holographic type look which if you ask me is WAY cool!

Vegan’s don’t have to miss out on all the fun. Here’s some of my favorite pieces out in stores that are vegan friendly and rock this trend HARD. Even vegan designer hero Stella McCartney has several items in her spring line which make being vegan and on-trend totally lust worthy.  I kinda want every piece in her shoe collection right now.

Here’s some great high and low budget items to work the trend.

FOREVER 21 // Iridescent Crescent Necklace $6.80

CHARLOTTE RUSSE // Clear Heel Iridescent Lace-Up Bootie $54.50

 

 

 

 

TOUCH UPS // Tammy Loafer  $37.99

BCBGENERATION // Rockie Dress Sandals $89.00

STELLA MCCARTNEY // Mirror Prism Pump $760

STELLA MCCARTNEY // Faux-Snake Flat Ankle-Wrap Sandal $445

STELLA MCCARTNEY //  Silver Irridescent Snake Print Ballet $395

 

 

What do you think of the iridescent trend?

 

 

 

 

Tie Dye

WHAT I’M WEARING // YASSO Faux Leather Jacket // H&M Dress //MIA Boots // CORNELIA GUEST Bag // JUSTFAB Sunglasses

So it’s warm enough nowadays for dresses but not for sandals just yet.  I couldn’t wait to wear this new graphic, black and white tie dye dress I recently picked up at H&M so I threw on some moto style boots and I was ready to go. I have a feeling this outfit will be a uniform for me the next coming weekends.  I LOVE the entire look.

I really like wearing maxi dresses on weekends.  They’re super comfortable and all you have to do is throw it on over your head and you are dressed and presentable for the day with minimal effort.

Notice a trend here on Brooklyn Bliss?  I don’t like having to think or put a lot of effort into much of anything.  Everything’s got to be easy.  That and comfortable.  I might seem pretty put together but truth is I’m just on auto-pilot and have found systems over the years that work well for me.  In all honesty I’m probably one of the laziest people on the planet.  Truth.

Now that it’s spring, what’s been your weekend uniform?

Little Black Dress / The Lack of Sleep Cure

WHAT IM WEARING // KAREN KANE Wrap Dress (very old via Filene’s Basement) // TARGET Vivian Heels // JUSTFAB Cuff // CORNELIA GUEST Nicholas Satchel

As you can see, spring is in full bloom here in Brooklyn!   Here’s my first post with my new hair.  What do you think?

This LBD (little black dress) has been in my wardrobe for probably 8 years now.  Last time it made an appearance on the blog was in 2010 I think!  It’s true testimony that every girl’s wardrobe needs the perfect LBD.  Actually, multiple LBD’s if you ask me.  This is technically my “daytime” LBD.  It works for day or evening, but is a little too casual for cocktail or formal events.  I have a sexier Dolce & Gabbana one that I wear to those.

Not only is this wrap version very flattering on, but since it’s a jersey knit it’s INCREDIBLY comfortable.  Just like jammies.  Any time I roll out of bed, have no idea what to wear and am incredibly cranky I always put this on.  This was the case the day these photos were taken, I had literally gotten only 4 hours sleep due to my cat waking me up multiple times in the middle of the night.  I’m not embarrassed I was so tired I actually cried.  She’s such a brat.

I also like to wear this dress a lot when I travel for work.  Jersey wrap dresses are just as comfortable to wear on planes for hours at a time as leggings and a sweatshirt.

So lesson of the day is, if you’ve gotten zero to no sleep, try a little black dress.  No one will know the difference.

Do you have a go to LBD?

Jill Milan Luxury Vegan Handbags

Jill Milan Art Deco Clutch $2,500

How sexy is this clutch?  Did I mention it’s vegan?  I wish I was famous and could attend red carpet events just so I could carry it for a few hours.  If my wish came true, I wouldn’t be the only starlet to grace the red carpet with this clutch.  Anne Hathaway (my vegan fashion girl crush BTW) and Kerry Washington have both had this bag on their arm working the carpet, and oh is it fabulous!

This particular bag is a Jill Milan Art Deco clutch, and one of many evening, day and business bags the vegan luxury designer makes. They are truly a luxury brand, with all their pieces crafted in Italy. All their pieces feature the highest quality PVC-free and cruelty-free faux leathers and patents, velvets and ultrasuedes.

One reason I’m crushing on Jill Milan’s pieces is not only are they gorgeous and luxurious, but their pieces aren’t accidentally vegan. They are a luxury brand 100% focused on working with vegan materials. In fact, the company supports several organizations furthering the protection of animal welfare. They’ve also been a sponsor of The Genesis Awards, which is an event hosted by The Humane Society of the United States which honors members of the media and entertainment industries for works promoting animal welfare. If that isn’t the most beautiful definition of glamour and philanthropy I don’t know what is.

If money was no object, I’d have all of these in my closet or on my arm. How amazing are these?

Jill Milan Soho Oversized Carryall $1400

Jill Milan Hollywood Hills Crossbody $650

Jill Milan Newbury Street Portfolio $800

So if anyone would like buy me a Jill Milan Art Deco clutch and fly me out to LA for the next Genesis Awards so I have a fancy schmancy event to wear it to, I’d totally be game.  Just sayin’.

Giveashit

WHAT I’M WEARING // A QUESTION OF Tee (bought in Iceland) // ZARA Blazer // H&M Jeans // TARGET Heels // CORNELIA GUEST Handbag // JUSTFAB Sunglasses

I’m not usually a fan of graphic tees, but I spotted this one at a boutique while in Iceland and just had to get it.  I absolutely love its Givenchy reference, and at the same time speaks to my values in a weird way.  The fact that it’s somewhat profane also sold the deal for me.  Even my mother was like “Oh!  You have to buy that shirt it’s soooo you!”.

So in other news I cut all my hair off last week!  These are actually the last photos I took prior to the big chop.  Now that it’s been a week and I’m used to the new ‘do, it’s actually kind of strange for me looking at my old, long locks.  I must say though, I’m a much bigger fan of short hair on me.  I think it’s much more flattering not only for my face and physique, but also for my curls.

Since I was going to chop off over 12 inches of my hair, there was no way I wasn’t going to get it documented somehow plus I wanted the photos for when I donated my hair to Locks of Love.  So stay tuned later this week for photos of the final result as well as some from my actual appointment.

Loving This Deux Lux Bag

So a few weeks ago I ordered this Deux Lux bag via a Gilt sale and OMG I am so glad I did.  I love it so much I just wanted to share.

That is all!