Happy Halloween!

Sunday Meditation

"I am what I eat and I don't swallow misery."

-Anonymous

Farm Sanctuary

This will be my first Thanksgiving as a vegan.

Which will be hard.

It got me going back through some photos 

from a recent trip I took to Farm Sanctuary in

Orland, California.

Farm Sanctuary works to protect farm animals from cruelty, 

inspire change in the way society views and treats farm animals, 

and promote compassionate vegan living.

The trip was amazing. 

The animals were beautiful.

The people were inspiring.

The cause is critical.

Me with Gene Bauer, the founder of Farm Sanctuary.

 A happy turkey who won't be killed for a meal this year.

A baby goat getting its strength back now that it's safe.

This sweet chicken had its beak cut off without anesthetic - a standard

practice in farming these days.

It was so cool that we were able to 

hang out this close with the animals!

I've decided pigs are ridiculously cute!

Pumpkin art

Growing up, every Halloween a friend of the family -
who was also a neighbor 
down the street - always carved 

the most magical, meticulous, whimsical 

jack-o-lanterns.

He passed away far too young.

 I always think of him this time of year

and have much more appreciation

for the light-filled creations that

seem to be the official welcome to fall.

Here are some fanciful ideas for making your pumpkin

carving (or not) a work of inspired art this year!

Inspiration: Preppy - Take 2

H M corduroy blazer, £30
Skinny leg jeans, $80
Black sandals, $33
H M shoulder bag, £30
H M bracelet, £1.49
H&M clear sunglasses, £5.99
Orange scarve, $21

Cowboy boots: the short story

Have you noticed that ankle versions of the traditional cowboy boot 

are making this classic a little more edgy and modern? 

At first I wasn't sold, but now I'm a convert. 

Here's a great option from Roper in a soft faux leather.

An easy way to put some giddyup in your style.

Get Vegucated!

Vegucated recently won the Toronto Film Festival Best Documentary.  It's a heartwarming, inspiring look at what happens when a couple of average people go vegan for six weeks.  You can check out the  Get Vegucated website here for more information.   I was bummed to see that there aren't any screenings scheduled to come to Seattle this year.  But they make very easy to host a screening of your own so if, like me, you don't live near a screening location, check out this option.  I'm really looking forward to seeing this one!

Happy Coat

Well, color me happy.

This chic, cheerful coat from Vaute Couture

is not only windproof and snow resistant,

it's also 100% vegan (not to mention, it's made in NYC).

Plus, check out that oversized collar - love it!

Who says winter has to be grey?!

And p.s. - it's on sale!

Sunday Meditation

"

"Humanity's true moral test, its fundamental test, 

consists of its attitude toward 

those who are at its mercy: animals. 

And in this respect, human kind has suffered a fundamental debacle, 

a debacle so fundamental that all others stem from it." 

-- Milan Kundera, The Unbearable Lightness of Being

Better use for a TV

These chic boots from Olsenhaus do quite the trick.

Not only are they gorgeous faux suede - they're also

partially made from recycled television screens.

Now that's a channel we can all agree on!

Snappy flats

The subtle military styling on these chic little flats 

will make you snap to attention!

The grey fabric is cozy-fall-perfect.

And the teeny tiny heel gives you a little lift.

Ten hut!

Fall vignette from Stella

A little fall vignette from Stella McCartney.

Always cruelty-free, always gorgeous.

Cash and carry

The wallet I've had forever just busted a seam.

I just ran across this replacement option

at Matt and Nat.

I love that it has 2 separate enclosures

that zip closed so it's easy to keep track

of receipts or random little treasures.
And of course it's
cruelty-free!

Inspiration: Lovely fall

H m sweater, £25
Black jeans, $80
Jambu buckle boots, $173
Melie bianco handbag, $94
H M viscose scarve, £9.99
H m hat, £3.99
Aviator shades, $32

Autumn - a second spring

The leaves are officially turning and it's really dark now when I get up in the morning. While this time of year can be beautiful, living here in Seattle I also know it means that months of a rainy, dark winter lie ahead -- which can be a little depressing to think about.  Then I ran across this beautiful little quote:

Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower.  ~Albert Camus

It inspired me to think a little more positively about the change of seasons.  And enjoy the beauty while it lasts. I can worry about the long winter later.

Sunday Meditation

The Chloe

I love this handbag - the Chloe - from Susan Nichole!

The gunmetal color is super chic and the accent stitching and

gold hardware give it a luxe look. 

And of course, no animals were harmed to bring

you this fashion statement.

Vegan vino

Vegan wines?  Yes! Who knew?!

I never stopped to think about it, but apparently

animal products can be utilized as fining or filtration aids

in the wine making process. 

The Vegan Vine carries sustainably grown, 

vegan wine from Clos LaChance Winery, 

a family-owned winery located in Northern California. 

Choose from a Cabernet Sauvignon,

Sauvignon Blanc or a red blend. 

And raise a glass to cruelty-free living!