IT'S IN THE BAG - Favorite Vegan Handbags {Winter 2016}

2016 is officially upon us. And so are our resolutions: this year, I've got my eye on stepping my yoga practice up a notch, plant-based eating, making time for travel and adventure...and cleaning out my closet.

After all, new year, new you. Or, preferably, new wardrobe. And, in the spirit of hitting the re-fresh button, it's time to summon our inner power to PURGE. Namely, that collection of dusted-over handbags. It's time to be real with ourselves: we are never going to put that '80s nylon fuchsia clutches we inherited from our moms to good use. Say it with me: I'm not going to use my mom's hand-me-down (albeit fashion-daring) purse. That decade is over. Time to Pare. It. Down.

Now is the era of embracing some closet feng shui and getting into the minimalism spirit. Deep breaths everyone: it can be done. Here is my curated checklist of a {reasonably small and totally crush-worthy} handful of handbags to get you through the day-to-day this wintry season:

Angela Roi // Hipsters for Sisters // Zink Collection // This Is Paper // Pelcor

Tips for staying on the road to simplicity this year: keep the color palette neutral, the lines geometric and find a balance between style and function.

1. On-trend and versatile, the Cross-Body bag from Angela Roi is the ideal grab-and-go option; it will complement most any casual ensemble and has ample room for whatever you wish to cart around for the entire day.
2. The results are in and the seemingly impossible has happened: fanny packs are back (and I'm not-so-secretly loving it). This sleek pack from Hipsters for Sisters is a looker and endlessly practical. Toss in your keys, phone and wallet, and you're good to waltz right out the door.
3. The definition of sophistication, you're going to thank your lucky stars and good taste that you have the Jaunt Handbag from Zink Collection hanging in your closet. Perfect for a polished business get-up, it can easily transition to evening with that flattering LBD number. 
4. This year, convenience is king. Embrace your wanderlust, whether within your own city or abroad, and throw on this Handle Backpack in Denim. Roughing it while looking impossibly chic is a tricky line to walk, but This Is Paper nails it. 
5. In any handbag collection, a clutch is always a must, and the Cork Sesame Clutch from Pelcor is the ultimate. It's just the right size for your daily essentials and still manages to feel delightfully airy. The creamy beige and woven pattern make this pick flattering to just about any outfit, from casual to elegant. 

Here's to a new year of saying yes to adventure, loving fearlessly and—as always—living that dirty/rotten life.

xx

FRINGE BENEFITS

On clear, sun-soaked days, herds of Angelenos grab their most revealing beachwear and greasiest tanning lotion and beeline to the nearest body of water. A fine bit of revelry to be sure, but why follow the crowds when you throw on a classic fedora, grab your camera and prance throughout downtown LA with one of your best friends in stride?

And, let me tell ya, traipsing through the beautiful, gritty streets is all the more delicious when sporting your fave vegan footwear and an over-sized handbag. Fact.

A few snapshots from the day. Admittedly, I got a little graffiti-happy, but I was rendered helpless by the colorful splendor.

Fedora from Etsy, Gap button down, Madewell jeans, Falling Whistles pendant, Rocket Dog booties, Cri De Coeur handbag

We stumbled upon this ancient contraption: ye ol' payphone.

xx Here's to aimless city wandering. In a fabulous hat. 

Photos by Meghan Wilson

NYE 2013: HAPPY NEW YEAR!

I rang in the New Year with dangerously high heels, electrifying funky music, wonderful friends, and (as I do) some sensational vegan comfort food.

A few snapshots from the last night of 2012 and into the morning of 2013:

Keepsake dress, My Delicious Jones pumps and Zoya Monka nail polish

Organic Prosecco and donuts from Babycakes.

The sinfully delectable (and festive) nachos from Real Food Daily for dinner.

Sweet jams from Vintage Trouble at The Roxy. #killingit

Dinner part deux: banana pancakes (I had them add chocolate chips - duh) from Swingers. The detox starts tomorrow...

Throughout the evening of festivities (and noshing with a vengeance), we took some time to discuss our wishes for the new year. Earlier in the day, my yoga instructor had asked us to reflect on our intentions (she felt "resolutions" carried a harsher connotation). As I shared with my friends, here are my mantras for 2013:

• Fear and procrastination are not an option.
• Honor and explore creative impulse.
• Ere on the side of simplicity.
• Commit time to travel, as well as the study of language and music.
• Write at least one line everyday.
• Remember to breathe through pain, both literal and figurative.
• Focus on health, health, health!
• To meet this world with respect and compassion. 

Beautiful people. So very glad you're all in my life. 

Cheers to peace, health and compassion in the New Year!

xx So much love to all

HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE 2012: For the Glamazon

It can be intimating to shop for the girl who has everything. The utter sophisticate, she's the first to sport the latest trends and is primped to perfection. Fear not! Here are some items that will give her decadent taste level a run for its money:

No fashionista should be without the LBB (little black bag)

She can never get too much Hollywood Retro.

Because her palette is equally as discerning as her taste in clothing.

Her bare nails haven't seen the light of day since she was 15.

Give this only on the condition that she swears to never make the Olsen duck-pout in photos.

xx Here's to a dazzling holiday!

HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE 2012: For the Mountain Man

This charmingly unkempt man often sports some facial hair, loves his hiking and can be caught wearing plaid on any given day. Ruggedly handsome and devilishly adventurous, he seems impossible to shop for. Lo and behold, here's a gift-buying road map to help you on your quest:

A rucksack for all of his manly accoutrements. 

Added bonus: $10 from every purchase goes to the wonderful non-profit Knock Foundation. Learn about how Stone Cloth came to be here.

This jacket - it gets frigid in the great outdoors.

A little somethin' to groom those straying whiskers. 

Because, after all, no meal is complete without hot sauce.

This handy device, for all of his wildlife sightings.

xx Love to all

HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE 2012: For the Sexy Intellectual

She may not actually work at a library, but this girl always has her head in a delicious novel, is a brilliant conversationalist and is undeniably cute as a button. Here's a selection of gifts to match this bibliophile's dazzling, erudite character:

This gal's Tina Fey hot - as are these frames.

Channeling some serious '30s nostalgia with the Stella McCartney Nathalie Canvas Wedges.

Because she loves to read by candlelight (and this smells so yummy).

For all her bursts of poetic inspiration, she'll toss her Moleskin(R) aside for this.

'cause those late nights at the library can be chilly.

xx And a merry gift-giving season to all!

HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE 2012: For the Dapper Gentleman

On behalf of all the peeps out there who still have some belated shopping to do (ahem, me), I'll be posting gift guides over the next few days to aid you in this final stretch before the Holidays. 

Here are a few present-giving tips for the delightful dandy in your life.  This chap's winning style and enchanting manners are straight from a page of The Great Gastby.

A classic staple of every debonair ensemble: the bowtie.

A snappy pair of oxfords.

The secret to every man's heart: a jar of handcrafted pickles.

Four-eyes.

No self-respecting gent can resist a good grooming product.

xx Happy Holiday shopping!

CYBER MONDAY CRUELTY-FREE DEALS!

Those who have committed to a vegan lifestyle have usually done so due to a strong inner need to devote themselves to the greater good: a life of compassion and selflessness. But, let's be honest, sometimes even the best of people just want TO BUY STUFF. And, on Cyber-Monday, I say we shamelessly embrace our inner consumer.

Alright kids, here's the Cyber-Monday break-down:

FOR ALL YOUR BEAUTY NEEDS

Sibu Beauty is a sustainable and cruelty-free skincare line, with a range of products containing sea buckthorn. Get 60% off all order using code CYBERSIBU at checkout:

Murad is a lovely skincare brand that does not test on animals. Get $25 off a $100 purchase with the code CYBERMONDAY.

FOR ALL YOUR FASHION NEEDS

Cri de Coeur designs the most lust-worthy vegan shoes and handbags. Get 30% off all orders through the end of November with code MANYTHANKS. Added bonus: free shipping for orders over $150. I've been drooling over their Cullen Fringe Bag in gray for some time now:

Lulus has a supremely cute selection of vegan shoes. Get 40% of sale items with promo-code CYBER:

FOR ALL OF THE ABOVE

JP Selects is a one-stop shop for all things sustainable/eco-friendly/animal-friendly: beauty, fashion, accessories, wellness, food, things for the home, the kids - even pets. Check out their Cyber Monday sale here:

Ethical Ocean is a wonderful resource for a variety of - you guessed it - ethical products. Be cautious, as not all of the products they advertise are vegan, but most of them are. They've compiled a great list of deals for Cyber Monday:

Let's be green! Let's be cruelty-free! Let's be vegan! LET'S SHOP!!

xx Happy purchasing!