New Feature: Shop My Fair Vanity

Hello and happy Wednesday! I'm pleased to share a new feature of My Fair Vanity with you, called Shop My Fair Vanity.

I spend a lot of time sifting through the interwebs, doggedly searching for eco-friendly fabulousness and harassing PR people to find out where and how the things I like are made. And geez, someone should benefit from all of that searching and brand stalking, right?

Above, you see what I intend to be an on ongoing collection of items that are beautiful and fair (meaning made in the USA, fair trade, organic, vegan, made using recycled or sustainable materials, etc.). I hope you like it, but if you don't, or if you think it would be more useful to you if only I did x, y, or z, please do tell me in the comments-- I'm eager to make this a space you can depend on for all of your fair fashion needs. :)

Happy shopping!

Eco-friendly Summer Sale Picks from Nordstrom

The Nordstrom summer sale is in full swing, so I thought I would share a few made in the USA items I've got lingering in my cart:

• Jade t-shirt
• Necklace
• Cuff
• Platform sandals
• White t-shirt
• Red cube necklace
• Dress by Bailey 44 is made in the USA
• White embellished sweatshirt
• Jeans

Happy shopping!

Summer Maxi Dress: Day to Night

In the middle of a DC summer heat wave, I want my clothes to be easy and breezy, so maxi dresses are a got-to option for me. I picked up this cobalt beauty from Secondi last summer, and I'm so glad I did.

It's 100% cotton with lots of stretch in the bodice, so it keeps me cool even during the day. I wore it last fall on a wine tasting jaunt with my mother with a straw bag and flat sandals, which gave the dress a hippie-chic feel. But the addition of strappy heels and a skinny belt changes the whole look of it, don't you think? I finished my evening transformation with a faux leather envelope clutch and a swipe of my favorite lipstick. Boom. My lazy, comfy day dress was ready for date night.

Re-imagining and re-styling your clothes is one of the best ways to stay eco-friendly and shop your own closet. The next time you feel like you have nothing to wear, take another look at your favorite maxi dress and see if it could work as evening wear.

If you have other ways of styling your daytime dresses for evening, please do share in the comments section-- I'd love to see how you do it!

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UPDATE: As a Lucky contributor, I'm entered in this little contest, and I'd love your vote! It's a great opportunity to share some sustainable fashion love with Lucky magazine fans :)

Just scroll down until you see me, and click "vote." Or go directly to moi.  No sign-up forms or anything like that.

Your Fair Vanity {An Eco-friendly Style Round-up}

Hello, my fair friends! Today I'm introducing a new monthly section to highlight Your Fair Style. One reason I started this blog was to show that it's possible to be stylish and kind to the earth. As a continuation of that effort, I'm eager to share examples from around the interwebs of how other bloggers have done that by incorporating fair elements into their wardrobes.

I believe we can all dress fairly without too much effort and certainly without spending a lot of money, and hopefully the stylin' ladies above will inspire you to take stock of the fair items in your closet!

1. Our first fair style inspo is Krystin from Be Loud Be You, who's wearing a DIY tulle skirt that she made herself! To understand how awesome this girl is, you should also check out this post, which has EVEN MORE AMAZING DIY TULLE!  
2. Cynthia from Simply Cyn aka Addicted2Etsy is wearing one of her many vintage Coach purses, and it gives the perfect pop of red to her breezy nautical look.   
3. On the bottom left, Carlis from Spicy Candy DC is wearing a thrifted white blouse and thrifted sunglasses. Carlis and Katya have much love and respect for the art of thrifting, and I love to see what they find and how they style it. 
4. E from District of Chic is on the bottom right wearing a delicate, white vintage dress that fits her like a dream.

****If you'd like to be included in  the next installation of Your Fair Style, leave a comment with a link to your post, and be sure to say what part of your outfit is eco-friendly or fair. You can also shoot me an email. ***

I look forward to seeing your fair style!

P.S. I also look forward to seeing you at SOHO DC Wednesday night :)

Blogger / Birthday Girl / Bartender / Dancer

Pictured: Renée Martini, Devin Simpson, Ashley Clausnitzer, Crishon Jerome, Rachel Mlinarchik


This Friday is my birthday, and I'd love for you to stop by SOHO DC on Wednesday, July 24 between 6:30 and 9:30 p.m. to have a celebratory birthday drink with me. I'll be guest bartending with a few other women from my dance company and 10% of proceeds from the bar that night will go to Capitol Movement!

The photos above are part of a shoot we did with Jason Hornick this summer. We stayed eco-friendly by using old costumes and our own clothes, with the exception of the ones we borrowed from Teeki (you can see the results of that project HERE).

We loved working with Jason-- he's the bees knees :)

Hope to see you this Wednesday night!




If you can't make it out on Wednesday night, I hope you'll consider supporting my fundraiser for Capitol Movement. In honor of our upcoming military appreciation tour, we aim to raise $10,000 by the end of the summer to ensure we can keep our programs going, and every single gift will get us one step closer to our goal. I'd love it if you could contribute $10, $25 or $100 towards our goal :)

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for eco-friendly sales, news, and adventures!

Keeping it Simple at Bedford Springs {aka Spa Nirvana}

Bedford Springs is one of the happiest places on earth. It's like grown-up Disneyworld with no lines. A spa nirvana. An oasis from which you may never want to return...With a beautiful golf course, if you like that sort of thing.

An Omni property since 2007, Bedford Springs Resort is located in the Allegheny Mountains of south Pennsylvania.  In 1984, the resort was designated a National Historic Landmark.

Bedford's eight natural springs feed a beautiful indoor pool and spa. Anyone staying at the hotel can use the heated pool, but you have to book an appointment for one of their spa services to get the full Bedford experience. And believe me, it's worth it.















I first visited the property on a anniversary trip with my husband in February on the recommendation of a friend, and even without the outdoor pool, I was smitten by the first day. I can guarantee that if you pay this place a visit in any season, you won't be disappointed. And just to be clear, Omni is not paying me to say this stuff-- I just love the place that much.



Wearing my Radiant Cosmetics lipstick and my Love, Cortnie clutch. The rest of the look is one that each one of you can re-create with your favorite jeans, a black t-shirt, and nude heels. Classic, simple, relaxed. ;)

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Summer Sales {Shop by Color}

Bags are fair trade from Ethica; White shirtdress is made in the USA by Thakoon; Shirt is made by hand in the USA using eco-friendly dyes and fabrics by Upstate

Shoes are handmade in Marrakech using a direct trade relationship, exclusive to Anthom; Shorts are fair trade from One Mango Tree; Color-block sheath dress in made in the USA by Lela Rose

Oxfords are fair trade by Ten & Co. from Anthom; American Apparel red bikini is $6 per piece!; Miista sandals are fair trade; Necklace is handmade using salvaged glass, stones and metals and fair labor standards

Each item above is from one of my favorite labels that are kind to the earth and the people on it, and each and every item is on major summer sale! Enjoy.  

xo

 

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glass, stones and metals

Leopard = Clutch {Eco-friendly Accessories}

I finally took my Love, Cortnie clutch out for a spin and I love it! I actually won it at a charity event hosted by Eden of Garden of Glam and Meaghan of District Sparkle to benefit Safer Shores, an organization that works to reduce trauma and promote healing for children who are victims of abuse. The event was a huge success and raised a lot of money for a very important cause, and I'm so proud of these two ladies for pulling it off.

I can report that my new leopard clutch is roomy enough to fit my wallet, phone, some lipstick, and my "real" camera (I use a Lumix GH3). If you're in the market for a mid-size clutch, there are sooo many to choose from, in colors and patterns that would suit a variety of styles and preferences.

I also want to highlight the story behind the necklace I am wearing. Due to a chance meeting in her local grocery store, the company owner now works alongside women in her community who are recovering from experiences of addiction, trafficking, and prostitution. Together they make each piece by hand. Check out Miriam Designs to see more.

• Dress is made in the USA by Heather (old); Similar made in the USA by Helmut: Helmut Lang HERE
• Clutch is handmade in the USA by Love, Cortnie
•  Shoes are fair trade and handmade by Pikolinos
•  Turquoise necklace is handmade in Tennesse by Miriam Designs

*This post has been submitted as part of IFB's Project #111

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Teeki: Eco-friendly yoga pants {from SPACE}

I first introduced you to Teeki back in the beginning days of My Fair Vanity, so it seems fitting to be partnering with them as this little blog turns one year old.

I'm so pleased to feature this company because they make beautiful, soft, trippy yoga and dance wear from recycled plastic bottles and they make them right here in the USA!  I love their super positive, other-worldly vibe, and I constantly returned to it throughout this project.

And when I say other-worldly, I mean other-worldly: after infusing a pair of yoga pants with the collective intentions of Teeki customers worldwide, they launched a pair of their yoga pants into space. Seriously. For real. And you can win those yoga pants! Details are here.

These images would not exist without three incredibly talented and bright lights. Each one of my co-conspirators clearly sent their most positive intentions into this collaboration. My love and my thanks to:

Jason Hornick Photography, Aaryn West (surface design) and Capitol Movement

Please check out Jason's photography, peep Aaryn's awesome design work, and enjoy a few clips of Capitol Movement in action, and I guarantee you won't be disappointed.

Last but not least, the bangles we're wearing are made from sustainable mango tree wood by Mango Tree bangles.



Photography by Jason Hornick; Graphic design by Aaryn West; Models (in order of appearance) Ashley Clausnitzer, Devin Simpson, and Renee Martini of DC's Capitol Movement dance company.

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