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,

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,

With the amazing Alicia Silverstone (Have you read her book, the Kind Life? Changing lives! And stay tuned for her Vaute Couture post on TheKindLife.com) <3

Jodi scores us VIP Letterman Tickets... The chairs beg us to take a seat!

It's been 15 years! My girl Stephanie and I talk Discovery, EJH Band, and other 1.5 decade worthy material.

Joshua Kachter & I enjoy the amazement that is Vinny's Pizza. My vegan hamburger helper slice, oh how I adore thee!

Oh New York how you tempt me! Stop being so fantastic, darn it.

Love in the Domes.

So every May, Nate and I take a week long road trip as far as we can drive in the span of daylight, and sometimes some night light too. This year- eh- work has me a bit wrapped up and we took a 2 day trip instead :/ Where can we head for only two days? Where could we find some new yummy vegan food? You’d be surprised- MILWAUKEE! With help from a certain incredible oh so fantastic blonde I know, we enjoyed quite the vegan tour. Check out our stops!

1. Beans & Barley. 1901 E North Ave. 414.278.7878 Vegan friendly restaurant with a little attached grocery store… man, if only I had a freezer in my car, there was so much yummy food I would’ve taken home with me. Fortunately one purchase did not need to stay chilled- my new vegan+ eco solid perfume by Pacifica (my favorite? Lotus Garden.)  Oh yeah, back to the food. We had the Reuben and sweet potato black bean burrito (both tasted pretty healthy but yum) but best was the Red Velvet Cake. They don’t mark what’s vegan so be sure to ask- and safe to say it’s omnis-can’t-taste-the- difference- delicious!

Riverwest Co-op

2. Riverwest Co-op & Cafe. 733 E Clarke Street. 414.264.7933 This one’s like the reverse- a grocery store with a little itty bitty attached veg kitchen, all run by volunteers. Milwaukee’s veg community is hippie to Chicago’s hipster, and I kinda liked this new flavor. We got the french toast (with bananas and chocolate chips- our idea) and biscuits and gravy ($5.75!) Both amazing, huge, and yes, took quite a bit on this busy Saturday morning. Well worth the wait! Next time I’ll order the breakfast muffins- I think I skimmed over it thinking it was something sweet, but it’s really like a vegan egg mc’muffin, which I never had pregan and am up for trying a guilt free version. yum.

3. Classic Slice. 2797 S. KK (at California) 414-238-2406. Vegan cheese, vegan sausage, and nutritional yeast with almost any darn thing you want! The slices have a bit of real cheese pre-sprinkled in, but you can get your own mini pie or a calzone like we did. This place is ADORABLE and their popularity is a no-brainer. I was told it’s the best vegan slice in the city. 

Palomino. Vegan Buffalo Wings, Ranch, AND Pool? Awesomeness.

4. Palomino. 2491 S Superior St. (414) 747-1007. This is. wait for it…. a BAR in…. wait again… MILWAUKEE. that has…hold your breath… vegan buffalo wings that by default come with…. hold on a second… tater tots with vegan ranch. INCREDIBLE. You can get the wings tossed in any sauce you want if you’re a baby about hot like me (I did the BBQ and it was fantastic.) The wings are like a mix of seitan, tofu, and vegan sausage- like a masterpiece of deliciousness.  We didn’t have a fridge at the hotel so we ate the leftovers in bed at 2am or so. I was not even hungry but yeah. I ate them. And yeah. they were still awesome.

5. Comet Cafe.  1947 N Farwell Ave. 414.273.7677. Another veg friendly fest with lots of vegan options, known for it’s pre-lunch food. We had the pancakes and  Comet Benedict. Both delicious- the latter was a lot like biscuits and gravy from Riverwest but still amazing, hearty, and a great huge plate.

BETWEEN EATS: Ok, you can’t just go from eats to eats (or maybe you can- we tried!) But there’s lots more to do in Milwaukee- check out Yahoo Travel Milwaukee’s page for the big ones, but there is also fabulous shopping in the Arts district of the Third Ward (be sure to stop in Hot Pop), and great vintage shops on KK before/after you get a slice at Classic.  

Hope you’ll visit our neighbor up North!

warmest,

like coldstone for vegans. milkshakes, smoothies, & pudding too. yum.

There’s a new cool in town, yes, it’s vegan options at “regular” (okay, super hip omni) eateries. I’ve always been the girl on the late (AWESOME) Chicago summer nights when everyone heads to Coldstone, and all I’ve got to try is their sorbet. Again. (check out this amaze-a-thon of fast food options for vegans list HERE, btw)

But no longer! iCream, Wicker Park’s new techno-ice cream wonder creates ice cream on the spot using their Jetsons-style liquid nitrogen machines, with natural extracts in a list of flavors. Then come the mix-ins- fresh fruit, sauces, candies, etc. They also make hot pudding, smoothies, and milk shakes. BUT HERE’S THE BEST PART. They have a VEGAN OPTION for everything. No, seriously. There isn’t anything you can’t make a combo of for yourself, because they have a soymilk option for all of them, and tons of vegan mix-ins as well. Oh, and did I mention it’s super convenient? Right off the Blue Line Damen Stop. I’ve been there twice this week. See you there!

SECOND. Pizza Fusion (NAPERVILLE).  So this town has won all sorts of awards for “best place to raise your kids” and ” suburb that feels like a city except with more popped collars and exposed brick” (okay I made that last one up) and now they’ve got me- for best vegan pizza options at a pizzeria.  Oh wait, I haven’t been there yet- hold the acceptance speech! My girl Nicole and I are planning a metra trip out to this place, which just opened LAST WEEK. They make their vegan pizzas with Skinny Bitch favorite  Follow Your Heart Vegan Cheese . Do you think they’ll have Chicago Style? *mouth watering* Mm, either way, there’s something about ordering a pizza like a normal person at a normal place that makes me giddy. Will let you know how it goes! 

warmest,

Cruelty Free Sin City– join me, fellow skeptics! because I sure didn’t expect this.  

Ronald's: open early/closes early- but worth coming back! chocolate glazed. custard filled. drool.

1. Ronald’s Donuts  4600 Spring Mountain Road. Take the 203 bus 5 min. from the Fashion Mall towards Chinatown. It’s in a tiny strip mall on the right side. Note the EARLY HOURS! M-F 4am-4pm, Sat-? Sun 5am-2pm… might as well come after a late night of debauchery. So yes, this is apparently THE place for vegans to visit in Vegas. Nearly all their donuts (except the cake ones & muffins) are animal free and my Nate just kept exclaiming: “They don’t taste any different than regular donuts, okay they do, they’re BETTER!” The custard cream filled with chocolate glaze are by far my favorite. And the locals are just as sweet. Total was about $11 for several donuts and a carton of soy milk to wash it all down- best deal all weekend.

my first pho bowl. at veggie delight in vegas chinatown.

2. Veggie Delight  

A deceivingly generic name for an adorably creative and yummy place!

3504 Wynn Road, at Wynn and Spring Mountain Road. ONLY 2 blocks from RONALD’s- walk off those donuts! Or regular directions: Nearly same as above- take 203 bus/cab from the Fashion Mall/Treasure Island about 4 stops/1.5 miles to Chinatown (wynn/spring mountain), . Call for hours first! (702) 310-6565.  

My first Pho Bowl EVER.  Plus (all vegan) pork skin spring rolls and a ham and egg sandwich. Holy wow. 

komol thai restaurant delivers to all casinos! huge veg menu.

3. Komol Restaurant: 953 E Sahara Ave E-10, Commercial Center (702) 731-6542

I have a feeling I would’ve eaten here every other day if I was here longer than a weekend. This place is north side of the Strip, about a half mile East of the Sahara in not the safest neighborhood. So no walking here, k sweeties? But they DO DELIVER- to EVERY casino! An excellent option or else suffer cobb salad hold the everything.

Komol is a thai restaurant with a huge Veg Menu including mock duck, shrimp, fish, chicken, and pork and coconut ice cream with your fried bananas. The red curry duck over rice was incredible. And it’s all affordable by Vegas Standards– about $9-11 for most entrees.  Just wish my hotel room had a fridge!

4. Cirque du Soleil LOVE: My first circus since pre-protest years… can I even call it that? This animal free show was more like being a guest of honor into a magical town of super-humans, an orchestra of movement, a masterpiece of joy. I wept like a vulnerable and moved piece of mush for the last 20 minutes while Nate laughed at me. I couldn’t help it- and p.s. no seat is a bad one! The back ones offer beautiful full perspectives. p.p.s. dance the night away post-show at the Beatles’ REVOLUTION lounge.

vegan gelato at espressamente in the palazzo. pear. lychee. blackberry oh my!

watch it and. weep.

5. Vegan Gelato Galore in the Espressamente Espresso/Crepe/Gelato Bar in the Palazzo. Yes it’s pricey but wow worth it. All of their fruit gelatos are vegan (the manufacturer’s President sent me a personal email about this.) an array of fruit flavors… 2 scoops for $6 I think?

6. Other Random Vegan Food: the Venetian Casino “Noodle Asia”– open late! got the Mushu Vegetable no egg.  the Las Vegas Airport Terminal D: California Pizza Kitchen Split Pea and Barley Soup ($6= massive bowl.) (Also, random Cali Pizza Kitchen fact- they have a whole Vegan/Vegetarian Guide? And a new Creamy Asparagus Soup for us too! Score!) 

Other Vegan in Vegas Guides:

VEGAS CLICK Veg Guide

Super Vegan

Happy Cow Vegas

The Vegas Vegan Blog

warmest,

I’ve been needing a new cleanser ever since this facialist in NY told me my skin’s pH was making my face BLAH. ha, um thanks? Besides drinking tons of water and my favorite detox tea, I picked this up at Target– Alba Coconut Milk Facial Wash, about $12, super gentle no soap smells delicious pH balanced vegan no animal testing wash. All together seems to be bringing back the YAY in my visage.

Speaking of one of the most wonderful words there is… Check out this adorable adornment I found on etsy today while searching for a girlfriend’s gift. They’re called CouchObjects and their whole store is filled with these– my other favorite is “AWESOME” because anyone who knows me in person hears me use the A word a little bit TOO much. $15

Lastly, I’ve been trying to cut back on the junk but sometimes you just need a little sweet. Saturday I stopped by Jewel by my place and discovered these 1. Organic 2. Vegan 3. better than OREO Cookies (so Nate says). Okay technically they’re Wild Harvest Organic Chocolate Sandwich Cookies. This company is NOT vegan by any means, but I’ve been so used to getting the generic oreo-wannabes that are accidentally vegan, and for some reason these happened to be the same price on sale! $3/box, and SO MUCH YUMMIER. (grab the $1 coupon on their site while it’s up, wish I had it Saturday!) Try ‘em!

P.S. It hit 50 degrees here Saturday and it was delicious. almost broke out the flip flops… Almost.

Warmest,

Objets d'Envy by Chicago Jewelry Artist Kirsten Goede

This weekend I visited the Chicago Antique Market, which included the Indie Designer Market! Bonus! 

Two amazing windy city based artist slash entrepreneurs I adored:

• Objets d’Envy GORGEOUS and FRESH with a capital F crystal jewelry…. even more stunning in person!
• Products of the Earth: Vegan and Cruelty Free lotions and potions for hair/face/body. I snatched the Earth Facial Scrub  which uses Walnut shells instead of sugar or salt for the exfoliant… smells amazing!

Vere Chocolates... see that vegan page? yum!

I also spotted some VEGAN ORGANIC chocolate showcased in the October Issue of In Style, in case you missed it. (Mine still goes to my old address, so I’m always  behind in my reading…)

Can’t wait to try…

• Vere Chocolate: 9 piece vegan assortment for $18! Vegan Coconut brownie box, come to momma!
• Sweet Earth Organic Chocolates, Peanut Butter Cup. I sooooo want their green tea chocolates to come in a vegan version!! But for now, their Chili Orange Walnut looks like quite a ride!

Careers through the Years... a sociological wonder!

ALSO

 

So I know I’m supposed to love all the healthy stuff, the greens, the array of delicious vegetables and grains from our earth… and I do. Actually, yes, Increasingly I do. But, sometimes I just feel like some comfort food. Sometimes, I just want to be able to eat cheese pizza, gosh darn it! So here’s how I do…. just a few foods that remind me of my pregan days…

**Reduced fat mayo at Trader Joe’s** (actually vegan!!!)

and

Tofutti frozen pizza slices. I will always love me some amy’s veggie pizza but THIS. is like those french bread pizza boats my high school friend Eric used to make for me out of his freezer, in the toaster oven. Yumtastic. I ate one of those for the first time at my visit to the Farm last week.

AND. if you’re lucky enough to live in Chicago (represent!), you HAVE to check out Teese Cheese at lots of restaurants, by my good friends & very cool guys at Chicago Soydairy.  The Halsted Whole Foods even makes pizzas with it in their take out pizzeria! but I can’t wait to make some mac n’ cheese like this.

holy wow. vegan teese cheese mac n cheese. (teesecheese.com)

Another vegan vice I’m not sure every other animal free girl on the planet knows about is:

Chocolate Soynut Butter!

Simple Food Chocolate Soynut Butter, Nutella for Vegans.

I found this stuff, from Simple Food, in of all places, HONG KONG this summer. I nearly flipped. but alas, it is all over the States just not in my little oasis of IL. As a former Nutella addict, this makes a mean CSB & banana sandwich. YUM. I ate that whole jar in a week flat.

do all veg’s love nut butter’s as much as me!?

Now. Hear me out. I swear my tastebuds have been growing up. I don’t feel right without a good helping of dark leafy veggies every single day. But that’s for another post, another time. 

With love,