Melvin!!! and me at the California Farm Sanctuary :)

So the highlight of my very first (and very much highlight filled!) Cali tour was definitely visiting the California home of the Farm Sanctuary, and hanging with tiny and thoughtful Melvin. Melvin was bred for his long beautiful hair, and after enduring cruel factory farming conditions would’ve been slaughtered after only a few years of life, when he was of no use to the wool business. Apparently he is somewhat of an outcast (hard to believe if you met this little guy!)… and I could’ve spent hours just cuddling him and his bff Alicia (named after, who else?). The two of them keep each other company in the amazing and beautiful haven that is FARM SANCTUARY! Ah la la how I love this place! If you live in Cali or Upstate NY you owe it to yourself to plan a visit STAT. now. run! I mean it.

What this post needs is- MORE MELVINNNN!

Other fun packed into less than two weeks included… a visit with the amazing VegNews staff! Seeing staff writer Abigail Young & Miss Vegansaurus herself the amazing Laura B (who has a new VegNews column and will answer your deepest darkest questions about being Vegan!, email her at AskLaura@VegNews.com- fun!) create a musical on stage masterpiece of joy and love, not to mention glitter galore!, an awesome time with inspiring wonderful LA peeps! (thanks Nik!), Gracias Madres (empanadas!!), Cafe Gratitude (sushi bowl!), Cha-ya (udon!), Vegan Cupcakes, judging  the SF Veg Fest Model Castings (so many veg hotties in SF!), Millennium (Chocolate Midnight at the bar-hollerrrr) Native Foods (TWICE!- that (vegan) Fish Taco is TO DIE FOR!), a hike on the top of a SF National Park Mountain! (the views! the fresh!), an incredible and inspiring day at the HSUS Hollywood Offices (with a visit from the lovely Emily D!) and fun times with the bubbly adorable gals from Spork Foods.

the (vegan) Bacon Cheeseburger (Native Foods, LA!) & Avocado Fries (a dreammm....At Farwood, near the CA Farm Sanctuary)

LA Pop Up Shops at HSUS Hollywood (left with my hometown girl Catherine) & Spork Foods (right, with my new town girl Annette)!

Super glorious filled hike with the incredible Val & Nestor- the adorable face of Berkeley East Bay Humane Society!

Two of my California Gurls!! Polly Walters of Veggywood (LA), & Laura B of Vegansaurus (SF)

SF Pop Up Shop at the A.Muse Gallery with Ciara, left (AnimalFriendlyShopping.com) & the adorable Jo & Jenny! (right)

SUN. SMILES. and lots of LOVE to you Cali! I’ll be back for more, miss you already!

(Full album coming soon to Facebook.com/VauteCouture)

warmest,

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Yes, it’s here! Our NYC Pop Up Shop!

Come hang out and say hi!! I’ll be there giving out free hugs & cupcakes, looking forward to some quality time with you! Grab a piece from our first collection at a Sample Sale in person 55%+ prices! Come preview and preorder one of the new coats (Men’s too!) from our upcoming FW10 collection, at a special only in person preorder price of 50% off (IN PERSON ONLY! Better than our online preorder price will start at! All your cross country friends will be jealous!) Also check out our new 100% organic cotton hand dyed minidresses & upcycled windbreakers at Sample Sale Prices too! Tees and tanks will also be on hand for take home.

When: Saturday September 11th (2-7pm), Sunday September 12th (1-5pm), Tuesday September 14th (3-8pm) and Wednesday September 15th (12-5pm). Email us to make your appt with your ideal time (i.e. 3-5pm Sunday!) and we’ll email you back with your very own 15 minute appt. slot for some one on one time. Bring up to 3 friends!

Where: MooShoes NYC, where else?! 78 Orchard Street in NYC

How: Come shop, hang out, see & try on! And enjoy a vegan cupcake of course! Mastercard & Visa taken too! And feel free to bring up to 3 friends for your appointment (those 2nd and 3rd opinions, priceless!)

What’s the new FW10 collection look like? Oh, you’ll see! Introducing men’s, urban snow coats, & knits!

RSVP to Sales@VauteCouture.com, can’t wait to see you!

warmest,

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PS! LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEERS! As an out of towner, would love your help! If you’re free for either day, email me (Leanne@VauteCouture.com) and specify if you can lend those cute hands for Sat (setup 11-12, OR tear down 5-6) or Sun tear down (6-7). Free tee for all volunteers, least I can do!

Can’t wait to see you SF!

Had such a blast doing an East Coast tour last January… here’s a three city Cali tour next Sunday-Sunday!

MINI PARTIES & POP-UPS! There are a couple of open events (parties!), but if you want some face & try on time to check out the new FW10 collection (to preorder and get a discount for doing so!), special remaining pieces from FW09, and current summer/early fall pieces to try on and purchase on the spot- we’re taking appointments for the first time, at the Pop Up Shops (by appointment only)! Check out the open times and email me ASAP to book yours. Feel free to book for you + BFF for that second opinion

TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT for a CALI Pop-Up Shop!

1. Email Sales@VauteCouture.com with “CALI Appointment” in the title.

2. THE APPT: Send me your location, date, and ideal time for appt, with a 2nd choice if 1st isn’t available.

3. HOW MANY? Let me know if you’re bringing a pal or 2 (+1, +2)

4. YOUR INFO: Full name, email address, and CELL Number, please!

5. CANCELLATIONS: I’m only in your city for a few days, so PLEASE if you need to cancel, let me know asap and at the very least 24 hours beforehand so I can open up the spot for someone else

5. SPECIAL NOTES: If you are looking at anything in particular, feel free to let me know! (i.e. a certain coat from last season in a certain size/color… this way I know what you like!)

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CALI POP-UPs! THE DEETS!

1. What will be there? Oh, just a sneak peek at the new FW10 coat collection for you to preorder your very own! (yes, this means mens’ too!) Current collections (new organic hand dyed mini-dresses, upcycled windbreakers, tanks/tees!) and the remaining pieces of our first coat collection at special event only prices!

2. When should I arrive? Since each appt is only 15 minutes, it’s best to arrive 10-15 min before your scheduled slot. The next appt. will start right after yours!

3. How can I pay? Credit card (visa/mastercard) or cash is accepted with glee!

4. What about returns/exchanges? Please check your purchase before leaving, but returns/exchange policy is same as always. Let me know that week if you need something different or to return it, no worries!

5. Must I shop? Heavens no, darling! If you’d just like to see me or the collections in person, that’s plenty reason to make an appointment and hang out for a little bit. And free hugs, of course!

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:::::::::::::::::::THE CALI TOUR:::::::::::::::::::

1. the OC- the THREAD SHOW Sunday 8/22 (indie fashion designers galore!) at the OC Fairgrounds

88 Fair Dr. Costa Mesa, 11am-6pm. $5. Open admission- no appointment necessary! Booths A3/A4

2. LA Pop-up Shop Monday 8/23 Cupcakes & Coats! Open Party (6-8pm) at SPORK FOODS!

7494 Santa Monica Blvd, W. Hollywood. Street parking galore.

RSVP Sales@VauteCouture.com to join us for cupcakes at 6 & shop a little too.

3. LA Pop-up Shop Tuesday 8/24 from (4-9pm) (NEW TIME!) at the HSUS Hollywood Offices

820 MORAGA DR, LA. Near the 405 Freeway/across from the Getty Museum. Street parking.

Email us for an appt to make face time with the collections (Sales@VauteCouture.com)

4/4:15/4:30/4:45    5/5:15/5:30/5:45  6/6:15/6:30/6:45     7/7:15/7:30/7:45     8/8:15/8:30/8:45

(crossed out times are already booked) Email Sales@VauteCouture.com to book yours!

4. San Francisco! POP UP SHOPS: Tea & Cupcakes!

Book your personal shopping session. (bring up to 3 guests!)

at A. Muse Gallery 614 Alabama St, SF. Plenty of street parking!

Saturday Noon-5pm AND Sunday 1:30pm-6pm

Email us with your available time range and we’ll pick a slot for you!

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warmest,

Because I’ve been thinking… what if delays- yes schedule changing, time sucking, super inconvenient delays- are really just surprise parties the universe is throwing (because it has better plans for you than your own overbooked schedule- so overbooked you haven’t written a blog post in over a month ;))?

I seem to be getting delayed a lot lately… could have something to do with traveling nearly every weekend in and out of NYC since I moved here. On Thursday I headed home to Chicago for a family trip to Michigan, when first my 3pm flight was cancelled, then I was overjoyed to have it rescheduled at another airline in another terminal to reach by bus, to find out I didn’t have enough time to get a new boarding pass, but then that it was delayed so they let me through (hallelujah!) only to find out that the 20 minute delay would turn into an hour, then two, then five, then finally eight. That’s 9 hours in the airport. And to be perfectly honest? It was kinda fun. A chance to not work, to meet strangers (one of my most favorite things) and to chill like it’s 1995, I’m at the mall with my friends, and my parents can’t pick me up till later. It went by like not much. We watched the sunset. Part of Shutter Island.  People. And when we all closed out the only food establishment in the terminal- a brightly lit airport bar- it was high fives all around, and the guy working the food kiosk asked sweetly if we all wanted pillows.

The weekend before, I missed my bus to DC then met a super sweet girl off to the Peace Corps waiting for the second one in the standby line. Made the second bus which then broke down, but while other passengers said in their loudest sternest voices to no one & everyone in particular, “I will NEVER take this piece of crap bus again!” I was secretly happy because I had been rushing so much to make my first bus, that I never got a chance to grab something to eat before the trip. The unintentional pit stop landed us at a food oasis, where I grabbed an Odwalla Green Machine & pack of pistachios to tide me over. Yum. When you can’t change something, isn’t it more fun pretending you chose it this way, and do what you’d be doing if this had been your idea all along? I think undoubtedly yes. I have public transportation to thank for many awesome perfect stranger conversings… Travel isn’t just to get from here and there (heck, my parents- happy 33rd anniversary! met on an airplane, a flight my dad wasn’t originally booked on). And really- what is a delay anyway? Delayed from- what? From a plan? From a schedule? Not from life, anyway… because that’s what’s happening all along… at a food oasis, in a 90-94 traffic jam, in an airport terminal, on the bus to DC with no air conditioning… and sometimes life has better schedules for us than we can plan for ourselves (I just like to pretend I’m in on it, too.)

So next time you’re “stuck” somewhere, look around for all the little things planned just. for. you. (Thanks universe, got you next time!)

PS- When Einstein was asked what the most important question facing humanity was, he answered, ” ‘Is the universe a friendly place?’ This is the first and most basic question all people must answer for themselves.” Oh Einie! How you make my heart go thump.

warmest,

1. These I Heart Vegan Girls/Boys buttons. Okay so maybe when I went vegan nearly 10 years ago there wasn’t exactly a market for vegan girls as a PREFERENCE and heck, when I went vegetarian at 10 most kids thought I was just weird for it (though hmmm, perhaps that had more to do with my self-cut bangs, handmade slogan tees…?) But that was a lonnnng time ago, as exhibited by existence of said fantastic button, and corresponding “I heart Vegan Boys” button.  Awesomeness with a plastic shell and safety pin back.

2. Quoting fashion reality tv. Okay, I’m not into reality tv of any other sort and I really I hate admitting that I watch this stuff even, but check out these gems of wisdom and tell me you aren’t inspired too? A little? Eh?

Anthony (Project Runway Season 7, episode 10, when Anthony is “kicked off”): “I think what life has taught us is, you don’t have to have the crown to be the queen.” Okay judge if you will but I seriously teared up when I heard this one, maybe it gets you too?   (I’ve just always been so awful at impressing judges and winning competitions… no boo hoo hoo here but hey, this Anthony just really gets me, right, here.)

Then last week. Kelly Cutrone of People’s Revolution (the City) tells Whitney, “Average people love to be average because no one bothers them.” Amen to that! A post along the same lines from my favorite author Seth Godin here.

And I’m pretty sure a couple months back I found the urge to quote ANTM’s special guest Lauren Hutton more often than I’d like to admit… (par memory not ver batim)… when asked by the contestants the secret to a successful modeling career, she said, “I was never the prettiest or the tallest, but the secret to success- in anything really- is to work four times harder than anyone else.”

3. Orange Fudge from Allison’s Gourmet. Fudge. Vegan Fudge. Vegan Fudge with real orange in it. Vegan fudge with real orange in it from the first vegan bakery on the face of this earth! (started 1989- believe it!) This stuff is deck-the-halls-a-dent. Perfect for sharing at parties, though they’ll probably ask you the recipe and you’ll have to admit you didn’t make it yourself. Oh well. At that point you should be on a chocolate endorphin kick so I think you can handle that.

4. Gorgeous famous vegans take over IN STYLE’s MAY ISSUE! Actresses Lea Michele (from GLEE!) and Ginnifer Goodwin (love her!) are two of three stories in IN STYLE Magazine’s article “Meals my mother taught me” (page 325) both with VEGAN MEALS! Yes! 2 out of 3 ain’t bad for a “normal” not vegan/health focused article, yeah? Ginnifer shares a vegan recipe of Gramma’s Bok Choy & Chickn (vegan) Salad and Lea sets it up for a regular & vegan version of her mom’s Vegetable Lasagna Rolls. On newsstands now, check it out!

5. Adorable animal loving postcards & art by my girl Laura at Le Canot Rouge! Not only does she illustrate the most adorable messengers of handwritten notes! but she also shows them the real love with hard core dedication to the environment, from her site: “Le Canot Rouge illustrations are printed on Mohawk Genesis ‘Forest Stewardship Certified’ premium papers, made from 100% post-consumer waste. The paper is also acid-free, lignin-free, process chlorine-free, and manufactured with ‘Green-e Certified’ windpower. And because it is also archival, your print will last and last and last and last.” Talk about walking the talk. Need a foot massage, Laura?

6. Peanut Butter Cups that are to DIE FOR! from Lagusta’s Luscious. Believe me, I’ve tried many a vegan chocolate (and non-vegan back in the day). like the song we used to sing in camp, These are the ones. These are the ones we’ve been waiting for… Classic peanut butter chocolate combo but with the most yummy luxurious ingredients and handcrafted gorgeousness. You’ve waited long enough, go try em!

7. (Anticipatory mention) The New “Green” Chicagoland Restaurant “Prasino” with amazing vegan brunch options! Okay so with there being only a couple of Veg/Vegan places in the suburbs (mainly the one- Borrowed Earth raw restaurant, which I adore! near Tivoli Theater in Downers Grove), I am sooo thrilled to have a new place to try with my rents & Nate out in La Grange called Prasino. Their vegan dinner and lunch options are nearly none, but their brunch menu makes me giddy with several including a Tofu Scram with (veg) Sausage, Garden Skillet (tofu scram instead of eggs), Vegan Eggs Benedict, Autumn Vegan Pecan Pancakes, and Vegan Orange Almond Stuffed French Toast. Phew! Now those are OPTIONS. Stay tuned for a review! And if you try it first-  let me know or I may just have to steal your leftovers!

8. Gorgeous LAUREN KROHN Photography.  Have you heard of this vegan bed and breakfast on the beach with native tiny deer? Well, it sounds like heaven to me, and I discovered it through the takes you there photography of Lauren Krohn. Check out her work here- she donates often to sanctuaries and her love for animals is visually inspiring! Facebook page here with her animals gallery!

9. Tees that tell it like it is. My super talented friends at Sparrow have been working on some adorable Love themed Vegan tees (as Vegan= Love, does it not?) with profits going to my favorite place on Earth, the Farm Sanctuary. Check them out here and others available for the respect/love of all.

10. Old friends in fun places! Took this pic last night of me + my former boss from 9 years ago when we both worked at Express for Men on Michigan Avenue- dancing our way through sweaters and tees and revamping wardrobes. He taught me so much and what’s more is we always had SO much fun!  I had heard his fashion line was poppin’ and last night at the StyleChicago 25 Best Chicago Designers Event I knew I’d run into him. What a treat! This man is and has always been pure joy and a half- heart you, Borris!

okay, I love a lot more things than 10 this month (like this lip gloss!), but this’ll have to do for now! Have a fantastic weekend.

warmest,

Gather around the magic rug, friends! It’s STORYTIME!!! (okay sorry the former education major in me gets a little excited about stories. sharing. and y’know. all that brighten my day business. ha.)

So last week, I asked my friends on the F to the B what the nicest thing a stranger has done for them… here are just a few of my favorites but they’re ALL SO good and inspiring! Read them all and keep in touch on our Vaute Couture Page for more random questions/contests every other Friday.

::::STRANGERS IN ACTION:::

“I once had a perfect stranger I contacted on Craigslist give me 2nd row tickets for my anniversary to a comedian for free! My husband and I were going thru a tough time, and I had offered her less than what she was asking in a desperate attempt to have a nice gift to give my hubby. She said she would love to help us, and that I could have a nice night out on her. Her only request? To pay it forward. Which I HAPPILY did later that year to another unsuspecting person! There really are some great people out there in the world!” (Sarah A)

“The one I really remember wasn’t about me at all. I was in London on the tube. A very unkempt man was yelling incoherently and shaking a book. I stayed still, because I felt a bit afraid, and there was quite a bit of empty space around him. A man walked over, sat down next to him, and listened. The unkempt man calmed down and spoke to him earnestly and pointed at the book, and as I listened in, I realized that he was trying to explain that he was a veteran, and that there was a photo of him in the book. The act of walking over and just sitting down to listen to someone I had previously perceived as scary, just being so kind as to listen, that was the kindest thing I ever saw.” (Jocelyn K)

“Two summers ago I frequented a local park and read there during beautiful, sunny days. I would often observe others around me after reading a chapter or two and take in the beauty all around - the people, the trees, the birds hoping along the concrete steps. One day, a very kind man began speaking with me about a book called The Four Agreements and various spiritual topics. After a little while, he gave me a slip of paper that read “I am thankful you are alive.” He would write messages like this and pass them on to people he had never met. I felt very touched knowing that we are all loved, no matter who we are - there is always someone out there who is grateful that we have come into this world and share our lives and stories with others. It’s a torch I try to pass on myself.” (Seana S)

“I was touring Ireland with my Dad when about a block in front of us a blind man was about to cross the street. A nearby construction worker, with the sweetest smile, stopped what he was doing and helped the man cross safely. Technically it was a kindness done to that man but it made mine and my fathers day so much brighter that I felt like he’d done an incredibly nice thing for us.” (Danielle B)

“One day I was at the grocery store and I had my arms loaded full of bags, as I struggled my way out to the car a nice elderly man offered to help me, I insisted on trying to carry them myself because I felt bad asking an old man to help me carry my heavy bags, as I declined one of the bags broke and my produce went everywhere, oranges and apples rolling all over the parking lot, he scrambled to help me collect them all and bring them to my car. Then I get to my car and realize that my keys & cell phone were locked in. Not only did he call a tow company for me he even paid for the lockout!! Pretty amazing…I felt truly fortunate to have crossed paths with this man! To this day I still bake him cookies and bring them to him once or twice a month.” (Morgan M)

Okay and my story, right? Nate and I missed our flight to Rochester NY (I was on my way to do a photoshoot at the Farm Sanctuary). And as the next flight was not until 10pm (!!) (original was 1pm- 1!!), we decided to make the most of it and spend the day as if we lived in the airport- shopping, eating, counting all the carts, haha- a jolly good time all around. Okay, that’s not the story though- I soon realized we had another issue, after getting there 9 hours late, we’d still have a 3 hour drive to Watkins Glen, where the Sanctuary is. But none of the rental car companies would be open when we arrived after midnight- meaning we’d have to sleep in the airport and eat up another 8 or so hours of our 2 day trip! And so, upon hearing this, without hesitation- a sigh- anything- the rental car rep gave me his cell phone #, and promised to be there with a car for us, 6 hours after his shift ended, and 1 hour after the whole place shut down for the night. When we arrived, we discovered that his parents had to drive him there because his wife had blocked his car in. So past midnight on a Saturday night, his son was asleep in the backseat in his Spiderman costume, and his parents in the front. He saved us a night of sleeping in the airport after already losing a day… but it was this without a blink of an eye effortless generosity he shared that really took me back… a total angel- and made me think, man, if I could be more like this guy?

So much kindness in this world. Has a total stranger done something for you? share, bear!

warmest,

So if you hadn’t guessed, VAUTE COUTURE WILL BE THERE. Can’t wait to see you!

So much to show you. Be the first to snap up one on our gorgeously protective new windbreaker indigo dress jackets made of upcycled windproof water resistant 100% Recycled Closed Loop Zero waste satin ripstop and fully lined in silver mesh. They’re perfect for bike rides, drizzly days, windy hikes, and walks in the park being all pretty like you are.

And of course- the last bit of our first ever line of lovely winter coats are here in person for you to find your favorite and take home that day. Make your investment for next fall/winter & get a steal!

Our new racerback tanks made of an eco blend of organic cotton, recycled polyester, and naturally occurring rayon and inspired by the words of two of our favorite animal advocates- Gandhi & Einstein, have arrived. Plus of course tees, handcut jewelry, and hugs on hand too!

WHEN: Thursday April 29th,  5-9pm

WHERE: 233 W Huron, Chicago

WHAT: Chicago’s 25 Best Designers Spring Shopping Cocktail Party! Including of course- Vaute Couture- as well as Lara Miller, Blake Standard, Jess Audey, and Objets D’envy!

HOW: Tickets expected to sell out! Only $15 to get in and shop to your heart’s content, grab free cocktails, and meet all the designers face to face. Must be 21+. Get your ticket here before they sell out!

I get tons of requests for personal coat try-ons, so here’s your chance! Email me at Leanne@VauteCouture.com and I’ll be sure to bring what you’re deciding between to the event for you to try on.

Can’t wait to meet you!

warmest,

11 minutes. And please excuse my tired appearance, I was time traveling earlier that day… (to a future when we don’t eat, wear, or experiment on animals. Aren’t you jealous? It was pretty awesome. ) Then I sat down with the brilliant Andy Stepanian, who edited, produced, and interviewed me for this piece by Sparrow Media. He included some splice-tastic clips from the “Smart Girls are Breezy” Shoot I did with Jon Cancelino.

Hope you like!! and are having a fantastical weekend.

Leanne Mai-Ly Hilgart from Sparrow Media on Vimeo.

And in case you missed it, here’s the video from my NYC Fashion Week Show, by the Discerning Brute, it’s a preview of my fall-winter 2010 line and Joshua is oh-so-wonderful!

warmest,