Monday, July 30, 2012

Get the Look {Fairly}: Sunrise, Sunset


get the look, sunrise, sunset, fair trade, made in the usa, fair vanity fair trade, fashion blog



sunset, wedding, rachel mlinarchik, fair vanity fair trade, playa negra, costa rica



As promised, here are a few ways to get the look {fairly} from Saturday's outfit post.
  1. Jumpsuit by Nomad, fair trade and on sale right now. Personally, I would cut off the pants into shorts and make it into a romper, which is also closer to the look from yesterday's post.
  2. Vintage wood bangle available from The Vintage Square's store in Oklahoma on Etsy
  3. Wood bangle available from Terrabella (organic and natural products handmade by a husband and wife team in Nicaragua) on Etsy
  4. Coral Necklace is fair trade, made of red Masai beads by Lalesso, and on sale right now.
  5. Snake print and giraffe print cuffs are made from reclaimed, upcycled leather by Nubambu
  6. Clutches are fair trade by Mar y Sol, a collaboration between artists in New York and artisans in Madagascar. The bags are handmade using sustainable materials, and all of their products are crafted with care for both the people who buy them and the people who make them. Also, they are on sale!
The sunset is from my wedding day in Costa Rica. I want you to know, dear reader, that it is not photoshopped in any way. Mother Nature was pretty much like "Bam!" and she gave us the best wedding present we ever could have received. It really was spectacular, and the pictures don't do it justice. So, whenever I wear the colors of sunset, of mangoes and fire, I think of my wedding day and one of the most wonderful places on earth: Playa Negra, Costa Rica.

My husband and I go back every year to lay around, swim, eat yummy locally grown food, and (occasionally) attempt surfing. Mostly we drink cervesas and watch the world-class surfers do their thang and say "wow, did you see that?" Sometimes we make new friends, like the this guy:

costa rica, lizard, playa negra, fair vanity fair trade, rachel mlinarchik, fashion blog

But mostly we just watch the sun set :)

sunset, costa rica, playa negra, caipirinhas, rachel mlinarchi, fair vanity fair trade


 Do you have colors that make you happy? Places or spaces?

Last but not least: tomorrow is the last day to enter the bracelet giveaway and be featured here on Fair Vanity! Comment with your pinterest board, your blog post, your flickr, whatever you like, and I will feature you and enter you to win the bracelet :)


Saturday, July 28, 2012

Sunrise, Sunset


collage, instagram, fair vanity, outfit post, rachel mlinarchik, coral, ikat


collage, instagram, fair vanity, outfit post, rachel mlinarchik, coral, ikat

bridesmaidsv coral, fair vanity fair trade, wedding colors, rachel mlinarchik



wedding, rachel mlinarchik, fair vanity fair trade, sunset, OOTD, outfit post


I celebrated my birthday last week (which is kind of like a little sunrise, sunset moment all on its own, right?), and I knew I had to wear this crazy Ikat romper. As soon as I tried it on I just loved it, for many reasons, I think. I did my best to explain why I love it in pictures, but I will also do my best to explain in words:

Tuesday, July 24, 2012

Tuesday Trend: Hottest Summer Hats


snail collage, fair vanity fair trade, rachel mlinarchik, summer hats, fashion blog


Remember when I promised a post all about hats and their awesomeness? Better late than never, right? There are some really lovely ones below from a variety of sources: handmade/vintage made in the USA on Etsy, fair trade options from Pachacuti, and handmade in New York from Tracy Watts. Hope you like!

UPDATE: Arm candy style challenge and bracelet giveaway deadline has been extended to July 31!


tracy watts hat, rachel mlinarchik, fair vanity, fair trade

tracy watts hat rachel mlinarchik fair vanity fair trade
Both hats above by Tracy Watts and available from Juno and Jove. Tracy Watts hats are made by hand in Brooklyn, NY ($206 and $264).


pachacuti hat rachel mlinarchik fair vanity fair trade
Pachacuti Hat. Pachacuti is the world’s first company to be certified to carry the World Fair Trade Organization’s (WFTO) new Fair Trade label. This is the first audited certification which verifies that an entire supply chain is following Fair Trade principles and sustainable environmental practices (On sale now for $62).


etsy, abbeysaccessories, hat, rachel mlinarchik, fair vanity fair trade, vintage
Vintage Stetson from Abbeysaccessories on Etsy ($62).


etsy hat rachel mlinarchik fair vanity vintage
Vintage blue fedora by ReVampingVintage on Etsy ($24).


etsy recyclinghistory hat rachel mlinarchik fair vanity vintage
Vintage 1960s straw hat available from recyclinghistory on Etsy and 20% off this week only with code "HUGESALE" ($22).


etsy makoskymilinery hat rachel mlinarchik fair vanity vintage
Hat is made in Memphis, TN and available by MakoskyMillinery on Etsy ($175)



etsy themillineryshop hat rachel mlinarchik fair vanity vintage

Handmade from TheMillineryShop on Etsy ($190)



Friday, July 20, 2012

Summer Nights



rachel mlinarchik, fair vanity fair trade, fashion blog, outfit post


rachel mlinarchik, fair vanity fair trade, fashion blog, outfit post

rachel mlinarchik, fair vanity fair trade, fashion blog, outfit post
picasion gif maker

get the look, rachel mlinarchiik, fair vanity fair trade, etsy, made in the USA

  • Crocheted top is double Fair: my latest find is used from Secondi AND made in the USA. There is a similar shirt (below) by the same brand (Staring at Stars) available now here, also made in the USA. This shirt is perfect for summer because of the wide open knit, which creates an awesome perma A/C situation.
  • White shorts are not Fair but here is a great option from American Apparel, made in the USA, pleated, same length.
  • Clutch was purchased used and is another find from Secondi. Fun Fact: if Secondi decides not to take the clothes you drop off bc they are the wrong season or just not what they are looking for at that time, they will donate them to Bread for the City. Above is a similarly lovely vintage option from MelissaJoyVintage on Etsy  and one more 1950s version from  EllensHomeandGift.  
  • Shoes are not Fair but there are still great options available used on Ebay, such as these and these and these, shown above.

P.S. Don't forget to enter to win the giveaway and style challenge by Monday, July 23!






Wednesday, July 18, 2012

Summer Sale Round-up: Juno & Jove



Juno and Jove, summer sale, beach wear, swimwear, fair vanity, fair trade

  •  Throw/beach blanket in background by JadeTribe, whose fair trade handbags and accessories  are sourced from small villages throughout Southeast Asia. 
  • Bikini by Karla Coletto, made in the USA from Italian fabrics
  • Crocheted white sundress by Organic by John Patrick, organic cotton, made in the USA.
  • Cuff by Alkemie, made in the USA from reclaimed and recycled metals
  • Sandals by Coclico This company examines every facet of its production, from fair labor standards to carbon offsetting. I suggest checking out their web site (it's flash, sorry) to read about their incredibly thoughtful eco-planning.


  • Juno and Jove, summer sale, fair vanity fair trade, swimwear, rachel mlinarchik, fashion blog


    • Top by Koch, a clothing line made by hand in Texas and New York. 
    • Necklace by Study, made from reclaimed copper piping and hand-dyed vintage silk scarves.
    • Chambray shorts by Majestic. It is a mystery to me why this company is considered to be eco-friendly. It doesn't say anything on their web site, nor in an article from ecosalon.com in which Clothes by Majestic was featured. But I know Juno and Jove has very high ethical standards for all of the brands they carry, so for now that will have to do :)
    • Ikat messenger style bag by JadeTribe whose fair trade handbags and accessories  are sourced from small villages throughout Southeast Asia

    Tuesday, July 17, 2012

    Tuesday Trend: Arm Candy


    indigoafrica, bracelets, fair vanity fair trade, rachel mlinarchik, style challenge, fashion blog



    indigoafrica, bracelets, fair vanity fair trade, rachel mlinarchik, style challenge, fashion blog
    All bracelets by Indego Africa

    The Tuesday Trend is a new feature and I'm really excited to be kicking it off with such a worthy company. Also, I thought it might inspire some of you bracelet-lovers to enter the giveaway and win some new, handmade arm candy from a local DC artist (deadline July 23).

    Indego Africa truly is, in their own words, "redefining an outdated handicraft model of economic development and mapping out a replicable blueprint for unleashing the power of women entrepreneurs in Africa." What's more, they are a trendy company, partnering with big name brands like Nicole Miller, J Crew, and Anthropologie, which increases their profile and accessibility for the average American consumer. Some people have negative feelings towards trends, but for me, anything that empowers consumers to make kinder, more conscious choices about their purchases without going out of their way to find a new store or change their regular habits is a positive thing.

    Their model for success and empowerment is so comprehensive that I think it's worth outlining the whole thing, and you can learn more about it here:

    If you're looking for inspiration before you enter the giveaway and style challenge, check out this collection for more delicious arm candy, and remember that only one of the bracelets in your entry has to be "fair" in order to enter. Good luck!

    <This contest in now closed>

    Friday, July 13, 2012

    Play Hard, Play Fair


    fair vanity, fair trade, workout clothes, gym bag, fashion blog, teeki



    fair vanity, fair trade, workout clothes, gym bag, fashion blog, teeki
    The Eco Breakdown

    I am eternally grateful to my friend Carissa for introducing me to Teeki, and I am so excited to introduce you to them, too! They make all of their awesome workout gear and edgy swimwear in the USA from recycled plastic bottles, and as you can see, they have really fun patterns and color ways to choose from. I was so taken with their crazy designs that I ordered those shorts, and they should be arriving any day now, just in time for me to wear them during a yoga teacher training I'm doing, so I am super-extra psyched. I'm sure it's not very "yogi" of me to be jazzed about what I'm wearing to yoga, but I do not care. Those shorts are the jam.

    P.S. Don't forget to enter the arm candy style challenge by July 23-- I'll feature you in a recap post plus you'll be entered to win an awesome bracelet to add to your collection

    Monday, July 9, 2012

    Part 2 of 2: Shiny, Sparkly and Fair = Guilt-free Bling



    aqua accessories, fair vanity, rachel mlinarchik, fashion blog, fair trade, made in the usa, alkemie, kris nations

    How amazing is that octopus cuff?! I'm not even sure I would wear it, but instead keep it on my dresser like a little pet rock just so I could look at it every day. I would call him Olly.

    As promised, this collection is inspired by Krabi Province, Thailand, which is easily one of the ten most beautiful places on Earth, right? The beaches and islands nestled between limestone cliffs are breathtaking, and going through my old pictures is giving me some seriously itchy feet!

    The Eco-Breakdown:

    Kris Nations is a jewelry line made by sisters Kim and Kris Nations. Every single piece is made of recycled metals in the good ole USA.
    krabi long-tailed boat
    Long-tailed Boat, Krabi Province, Thailand

    krabi limestone cliffs
    Limestone Cliffs, Krabi Province, Thailand
    krabi beach limestone cliffs
    Rai Lay Beach, Krabi Province, Thailand

    Sunday, July 8, 2012

    Shiny, Sparkly and Fair: Guilt-free Bling, Part 1 of 2


    gold jewelry, fair trade, made in the USA, rachel mlinarchik, fair vanity, fashion blog

    chiang mai,fair vanity, fashion blog, rachel mlinarchik, temple ruins
    Chiang Mai, Thailand

    wat pho, rachel mlinarchik, fair vanity, fashion blog
    Wat Pho, Bangkok, Thailand

    Wednesday, July 4, 2012

    Happy 4th of July from Fair Vanity!

    rachel mlinarchik, fair vanity, fashion blog, red white and blue, fair trade


    rachel mlinarchik, fair vanity, 4th of july, fashion blog, outfit post, red white and blue

     Tune in tomorrow for the Fair Version. Easiest and best part-- the jeans are homemade cut-offs. Is there anything more American than jorts?


    Happy 4th of July! May your fireworks be bright and your beer be cold, and locally brewed ;)



    shoes, rachel mlinarchik, fair vanity, outfit post, fashion blog, fair trade

    Sunday, July 1, 2012

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