Wednesday, February 27, 2013

Introducing: Lydali



lydali, fair trade, home goods, jewelry, accessories, my fair vanity style blog

I'm pleased to introduce you to my fairest new find, Lydali.

Lydali offers a cheery online collection of brightly-colored jewelry, home goods, bags and accessories made by artisans around the world who are operating under fair trade and fair labor standards.

For example, the bracelets on the bottom left are from one of my all-time favorites, Raven + Lily (remember them?). In addition to creating sustainable economic opportunities for marginalized women, Raven + Lily returns proceeds to their partner communities to fund education, healthcare, and micro-loans. By purchasing R+L products, consumers are part of breaking the cycle of poverty and transforming the lives of women and families.

Bonus: you can find a whole new collection of my favorite Lydali finds over on their blog! I encourage you to check it out and explore the rest of their lovely store.


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Monday, February 25, 2013

Shine Bright Like a Diamond


vera wang style blogger rachel mlinarchik my fair vanity 12

vera wang style blogger rachel mlinarchik my fair vanity 14

vera wang style blogger rachel mlinarchik my fair vanity 11

vera wang style blogger rachel mlinarchik my fair vanity 15

vera wang style blogger rachel mlinarchik my fair vanity 16

Dress is Vera Wang; Shoes are second-hand DVF from Secondi; Clutch is vintage


It's official: I'm a very, very lucky girl. You may recall my January vow to stalk this dress to the ends of the earth. When I tried it on at a Rent the Runway event, I knew I didn't want to rent it, I wanted to own it. Forever. And I can assure you, dear readers, that I will be wearing this dress to work events, to weddings, to brunch, to dinner, and to Life.

And it was one of you, one of the wonderful and lovely people who visit my blog now and then, that alerted me as soon as it came up on Gilt. I'm so grateful that people read this lil' blog and then tell me about killer sales-- thank you so much!

And that's still not all. I'm lucky because my very talented and kind friend Jason Hornick offered to work with me soon after I acquired this gold brocade, shiny, Frank Lloyd Wright-esque wonder of a dress by Vera Wang (proudly made in the USA, of course). Similar HERE.

Thank you so much, Jason. You are the jam.

So, what do you think? This dress is part of my efforts to build a wardrobe that I can wear for years to come, avoiding the throw away "fast fashion" that invades our closets in the fall only to leave again in the spring. Do you think this dress dress can stand the test of time?


vera wang style blogger rachel mlinarchik my fair vanity 13


*This post is part of DC in Style's Wedding Looks Monday Bloom link-up.



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Tuesday, February 19, 2013

Meet My New Friends, Stella and Dior


workwear stella mccartney boots vintage dior skirt my fair vanity style blog 5

workwear stella mccartney boots vintage dior skirt my fair vanity style blog

workwear stella mccartney boots vintage dior skirt my fair vanity style blog 8

workwear stella mccartney boots vintage dior skirt my fair vanity style blog 4


workwear stella mccartney boots vintage dior skirt my fair vanity style blog 7

I'm pleased to introduce you to my two new friends, Stella and Dior.

The lovely ankle boots pictured above are vegan by Stella McCartney (similar-ish HERE), and they were given to me as the most awesomest third anniversary present ever. I love the brass tortoise shell detailing on the heels.

The pencil skirt is vintage Christian Dior and I found it for under $40 at Secondi! It's wool, in mint condition, and fits like a glove. Here is one on Etsy. The two gold necklaces are both little gifts from my parents from when I was a little girl, and now I love layering them. Considering how old I was when they were given to me, I believe they could be considered vintage. The jacket and black bangle are also consigned, so once again, I'm head to toe Secondi.

The green and yellow bangles, however, are made from sustainable mango tree wood by Mango Tree-- check 'em out, they come in three sizes and fits.

workwear stella mccartney boots vintage dior skirt my fair vanity style blog 2

workwear stella mccartney boots vintage dior skirt my fair vanity style blog 9






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Monday, February 18, 2013

Instalife


instagram recap my fair vanity 2013 instacollage

A little glimpse into the last 30 days of my life, insta-style.
  1.  My new vegan Stella McCartney ankle boots, which were an AWESOME third anniversary present!
  2. More anniversary :)
  3. Best Madmen party ever.
  4. Madmen, cont'd
  5. Official Inauguration 2013 Ball w/ classy pretzels and t-shirt stand. 
  6. Inaug2013 blue section
  7. Admiring the inauguration style of the lovely lady in front of me
  8.  Outtake from my Radiant Cosmetics lipstick post

Saturday, February 16, 2013

Try Your Luck


goodweave, raffle, my fair vanity, rachel mlinarchik, style blog, hand-carded rug

Hello, fair friends! Remember when I went to Egypt and saw all of the beautiful hand-tied rugs? In that post, I introduced you to GoodWeave, a non-profit that works to end child labor in the rug industry and provide education to children in weaving communities in India, Nepal and Afghanistan.

To celebrate the grand opening of their new Manhattan showroom, Michael Mandapati of GoodWeave partner Warp & Weft is generously offering Creeks in copper (pictured above). The 8’ x 10’ prize rug is made of 100% hand-carded and hand-spun Himalayan wool, hand-knotted in Nepal.

Warp & Weft will raffle off this rug from their award-winning collection to one lucky GoodWeave supporter in February. Enter to win at www.goodweave.org/raffle by February 28.

I absolutely love the subdued, sandy colors of this rug, which remind me so much of the time I spent in Cairo last year, ogling sphixes and pyramids. Creeks would normally retail for $10,800, but it could be yours for a raffle ticket starting at$25 donation, and all proceeds will benefit GoodWeave’s work. Sounds pretty fair to me, and I'm definitely going to enter. Good luck!








Thursday, February 14, 2013

One Billion Hearts Rising



valentines day #1billionrising





Today on Fair Vanity I'm celebrating Valentine's Day a little differently by participating in the  One Billion Rising campaign by Eve Ensler. I love the idea behind it because to me, dance is one of the most freeing forms of self-expression. It is powerful, sensual, and physical, yet non-violent. What better way to rise up in solidarity with the one billion women and girls who will experience physical violence in their lifetimes? What better way to send them our collective love?

In solidarity with Eve Ensler's movement, I'm sharing this video of the pre-professional members of my dance company, Capitol Movement, dancing their hearts out in one of our repertory pieces: Movement of the People. The theme of an exodus seems appropriate as we attempt to move from a violent world to a more collaborative, equitable world.

valentines day, #1billionrising, logo, 1billionrising

One billion rising began as a call to action based on the staggering statistic that 1 in 3 women on the planet will be beaten or raped during her lifetime. With the world population at 7 billion, this adds up to more than one billion women and girls. One billion daughters, mothers, grandmothers, sisters, lovers and friends.

Today is V-Day’s 15th anniversary, so Fair Vanity is joining women and men across the world to demand change, strike, dance, and rise in defiance of the injustices women suffer.

What I love most about this campaign is that you can participate, too. All you have to do is dance, and if someone asks you why, tell them you're dancing because you are #1billionrising. Video yourself, tweet about it, or use that new-fangled Vine app!

If you'd like to contribute directly towards breaking the cycle of worldwide violence towards women and girls, check out CARE. They fight the root causes of poverty in 84 countries around the world with a focus on breaking down the disproportionate barriers to health, safety, education and economic access faced by 51% of the world's population: women and girls.


valentines day #1billionrising malala yousafzai

Lastly, I want to leave you with this image of the lovely Malala Yousafzai, a young, powerful, brave woman who spoke out very recently for her right to an education in the face of extraordinary adversity and personal danger to herself. Can you think of a woman or girl who inspires you?

Happy Valentine's Day from Fair Vanity :)

xo












Wednesday, February 13, 2013

Shades of Grey


shades of grey, ootd, style blog, my fair vanity

shades of grey, ootd, style blog, my fair vanity

shades of grey, ootd, style blog, my fair vanity

I picked up this awesome J Crew coat from (where else?) Secondi the other day, and it was exactly what my wardrobe needed. Paired with a fuzzy sweater and boots, its classic lines keep me looking pulled together even when it's FREEZING and gray outside.

For more fair, second-hand, and stylin' coat inspiration, check out my recent round-up post, which is full of several sizes, colors and styles from Ebay.

Also, stay tuned for a post on how to "get the look" fairly!

xo

Rachel

Photography by Victoria Corkhill

Wednesday, February 6, 2013

Red Letter Day


red lipstick, style blog, radiant cosmetics, human trafficking awareness, my fair vanity

red lipstick, style blog, radiant cosmetics, human trafficking awareness, my fair vanity

red lipstick, outfit post, radiant cosmetics, human trafficking awareness, my fair vanity

red lipstick, outfit post, radiant cosmetics, human trafficking awareness, my fair vanity


For whatever reason, I have been on a huge neutrals kick, which is why I am so glad to have my Flamenco red lipstick from Radiant Cosmetics. I love to pair bright lipsticks with boyish or androgynous looks (please pardon the mug, I was having my morning tea, and we just went with it).

With it, I'm wearing a sweater that was gifted to me by a friend (similar cashmere version HERE), a vintage clutch from Secondi (exact same one HERE), a silk-collared shirt (similar HERE), jeans and neutral heels (similar but even more awesome cork ones HERE).

I've also been really into black nails lately. They feel so clean and classic, as opposed to gothic. What do you think? Would you rock black nails at work? On weekends? Ever? 


red lipstick, outfit post, radiant cosmetics, human trafficking awareness, my fair vanity

red lipstick, outfit post, radiant cosmetics, human trafficking awareness, my fair vanity




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Friday, February 1, 2013

Madmen


madmen party, vintage dresses, my fair vanity, style blog, rachel mlinarchik madmen party, vintage dresses, my fair vanity, style blog, rachel mlinarchik madmen party, vintage dresses, my fair vanity, style blog, rachel mlinarchik

If you're looking for inspiration for your next party, look no further than this post, my friends. Last Saturday, I went to the best Madmen themed party that has ever existed. I say that with no bias and full assurance of accuracy because it was thrown and attended by physicists and engineers who can measure such things with precise, nay, quantum-level accuracy.

They really went all out, from the arrival photo-op wall to the decor, but no theme party can be a success without the full commitment of its guests, and these folks threw down. From groovy beatniks to NASA scientists to Joans to Don Drapers, everyone brought their A-game. What's more, a lot of the folks I talked to had hit up local thrift stores and other vintage boutiques to build their outfits.

madmen party, vintage dresses, my fair vanity, style blog, rachel mlinarchik

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