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,

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,

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,

after.

Pre-interview giggles with Joshua Kachter

In an eco-fashion host sandwich with Super- eco model Summer Rayne Oakes & the Discerning Brute himself Joshua Kachter

hi!

with my amazing parents!

ditto for my Nate.

Pssst!!  Couture vegan dresses from simple (like mine) to intensive can be designed just for your wedding, gala, protest or potluck on special request and constructed by my couture team, just ask! Mine features work by Julianna Luther and handpainting by Japan transplant Cecca Morrone.

PPS- all images by Paul Colliton, except the last one, by Jun Lee.

warmest,

After my first season’s limited launch (where I focused on my dream coat- the first chic & warm vegan winter coat) I spent this year preparing a few other winter pieces who turned up missing- men’s dress coats, urban chic crazy warm down alternative coats, vegan gloves, and luxe eco/vegan knits. Again, Photos by Jun Lee, origami headpieces by Laura Morrish, Men’s Origami Ties by Kogure Sachiko, Shoes by Cri de Coeur, and Jewelry by Objets D’envy.  Hope you like too! xoxo

the Whitman

The Men's Pea

Vegan Leather Gloves with Vintage Buttons

Men's Urban Snow Coat

Women's Urban Snow

Friends not Fashion My Favorite Sweatshirt

Friends Not Food Racerback + Soy Knit Winged Hat

Friends Not Test Subjects Racerback + Soy Knit Neckwarmer/Hood/Shawl

Urban Snow Coat Handpainted by Cecca Morrone

Me in a Vaute Couture- Couture Handpainted Vegan Satin Tulip Dress

warmest,

Love, laughs, and a bit of travel exhaustion. That might best categorize my first mini-tour for Vaute Couture! Stopping in DC (Busboys & Poets), Boston (Peace o’Pie) and NYC (group vegan sale with Cri de Coeur & Olsen Haus) last week, after a little eco luxe group sale in my hometown (with Mountains of the Moon, Objets d’Envy, and Lara Miller) meant lots of driving, quick as I can pitstops, new faces, and new faces to familiar names (my favorite!) <3 It was so amazing seeing everyone in person- thank you a million times for coming out!

Looking forward to the West Coast next. xoxo

at Busboys & Poets- with the gorgeous Vanessa!

with the lovelies Michelle of D.C. vegan & Jacqueline of PCRM

with the fabulous Kristin of the Vegan Reviewer & her Chicago bred boo.

Mariah is so pretty in pink.

The vegan sample sale girls of Vaute Couture, Cri de Coeur, and Olsen Haus, enjoying some hard-earned cupcakes!

And my Ali (of Livin Veg) and I realize we are standing twins. Who knew?!

To see them all, check out the album on facebook. Lots of love to everyone who came out! xoxo

warmest,

Vert Couture: Chicago Fashion Week Goes Green from Conscious Living TV on Vimeo.

I’m sure with the snow flying, LA transplants Michael & Bianca Alexander are wondering why they’ve moved into blizzard-ville but we are sure happy they did! Creators of the oh so fabulous Conscious Living TV, they interview, inspire, and create more for the conscious community. We’re so lucky to have them!

View one of their latest episodes above, to see the fashion show they not only covered but created and hosted- Vert Couture- Chicago’s first all green fashion show at Fashion Week, including Vaute Couture & other favorite Chicago & beyond eco-conscious labels (Mohop Shoes, Kaillia Footwear, Frei Designs, and Mountains of the Moon, to name a few!). I showed a few current FW09 outerwear pieces in conjunction with some couture looks handpainted and constructed from remnant fabrics from my 8 months of fabric research. (Yes, my very limited SS10 collection is still to be fully unveiled. shhh!) It also included yum vegan food from the Great Taste Cafe and eco-cocktails by Veev. You can see my picture post here.

xoxo

Flew in for the HSUS Fashion Awards with Joshua Kachter (the Discerning Brute), my girl Jodi Taylor (above), Michael Parrish Dudell (Ecorazzi & VegDaily), and vegan shoe designer Elizabeth Olsen. We enjoyed some Nigel Barker, Wayne Pacelle (HSUS President), and the lovely pieces from finalists all over the country… (speaking of which, Kelly Prin, if you’d care to stop impersonating my Chi-town girl Kelly Brinn the REAL finalist, I’d appreciate it! *wink*)

Ahhh vegan NYC food. I just could not get enough. (Though my wallet begged me!) Nor did I make it to even half the stops on my list, which btw definitely grew by the minute. (Um- a mostly vegan sushi place? Hello! My dreams called, said so happy to come true! Nate called and said- bring some home in your suitcase!) But I did enjoy very much the BBQ tempeh and sweet potato sandwich at Candle Cafe, a biscuits with strawberries & cream at Babycakes (above),  incredible Chocolate Cake Donuts from Vegan Treats (thanks Andy!), and a late night array at Food Swings (above) with my hosts with the mosts.

And the NY League of Humane Voters Gala! An inspiring night filled with those speaking up for animals in NYC with their voices and their votes. Founded by  John Phillips, brought together politicians, lawyers, activists, and artists to celebrate advocating for animals together, including some of my favorite people… Meredith Turner of the Farm Sanctuary, Ali Berman of Livin’ Veg, Chloe Jo Berman of the GirlieGirlArmy, and so many more. And the food? Gosh, don’t make me blush!

So the tee shirt is true!? I really do heart NYC!

warmest,

Ford Model Madison backstage in hair & makeup. Photo by Chad Smith

Gorgeous Lindsay gets ready. Photo by Chad Smith

the Vaute Coat in Recycled on Alexis. Designed to retain heat with a windproof liner. Photo by Chad Smith

The Vaute Coat in Recycled Black. Available at VauteCouture.com, Recycled Shell & 100% Recycled Liner with Tagua Nut Buttons. Inspired by the artwork of Brooke Hagel. Photo by Chad Smith.

the Bomono in Blue. $506, available at VauteCouture.com. Boots by Kaila Footwear (KailiaFootwear.com) Photo by Chad Smith

Tailed jacked from the Birds & Bloom Couture Collection. Couture team includes Julianna Luther & Cecca Morrone on this piece. Shoes by Kailia- KailiaFootwear.com Photo by Chad Smith

Handpainted Hemp Tailed Jacket Couture Piece made from leftover fabric from my 8 months of research. Price upon request. Photo by Chad Smith

 

Hemp Herringbone Winged Romper from the Birds & Bloom Couture Collection. Couture team on this piece includes Julianna Luther and Cecca Morrone. Photo by Chad Smith.

Handpainted Winged Racerback on Organic Cotton from the Birds & Bloom Couture Collection. Couture team includes Julianna Luther & Cecca Morrone on this piece. Photo by Chad Smith. Shoes by Mohop (mohop.com.)

Hey! It's me-in a vintage dress that was in need of a shortening. Photo by Chad Smith

Bianca & Michael of Conscious Living, the hosts of Vert Couture! Photo by Chad Smith

Thanks to every one who came out! It was so fun to see you and hang with other eco-designers of Chicago… Mohop Vegan & Eco Shoe Designer Annie Mohaupt, Mountains of the Moon’s Melissa Baswell, Frei Designs’ Annie Novotny, and also see the fabulous new FW09 vegan shoe designs from Kaila Footwear.

Unfortunately, I didn’t get a chance to grab any (boo!!) but did hear tales of the amazing vegan appetizers from the always incredible all vegan Balanced Kitchen !! So sad- well I guess I have to wait for the opening of their newest location- the Great Taste Cafe! Slated to open this week, yay, can’t wait!!! Also thanks to Colori Eco-Paint Boutique for the super cute gift bags! I know my family loved that.

And OF COURSE! Lots of love and thanks to the super wonderful Michael & Bianca Alexander of Conscious Living TV and the City of Chicago for putting on Chicago’s first ever all eco-fashion show at Chicago Fashion Week! Looking forward to many more!

xoxo warmest,