What {I Want} to Wear on Thanksgiving

I don't know how anything could say Thanksgiving more than a sweater with an eagle on it that kind of looks like a Turkey. Do you?

• Sweater by sustainable designer Stella McCartney
• Boots made in the USA by Frye
• Jeans made in the USA by Rag and Bone, and on sale, and an EXTRA 20% with code HOLIDAY. Just sayin!
• Ring by Monique Pean, who uses recycled metals and fossilized dinosaur and wolley mammoth in her pieces-- you can shop the whole collection at Barneys.

Sustainable Style: Vintage Levis, Polished Blazer {#StyledbyShellBCheri}

Just a few short weeks ago, stylist and blogger Shell B Cheri* waltzed into my apartment to give me a little closet refresh, and I'm so glad that she did. I was participating in a project she was working on with several other bloggers, in which we each chose an item from our closets that we loved but rarely wore so that she could help us style it.

But you guys, she did so much more. For my difficult-to-style items, I had chosen a well-cut creme blazer given to me as a Christmas gift by one of my bestest friends, as well as a vintage beaded bag that I'd worn for New Year's and never really picked up again. I loved them both but was intimidated by the creme and wanted a more casual way to wear a beaded bag during the day.



Well, Ms. Cheri dove into my closet and after pulling out almost everything I owned (ok maybe half), she unearthed a completely unexpected item: a pair of beat-up vintage Levis that had been my father's. I'd worn them in 9th grade with combat boots (yuuuuup), but simply carried them with me ever since then, unable to bring myself to donate them or sell them, but not actually wearing them.

Since my father passed away in 2004, I've held on tightly to the little pieces of him that I have: his old t-shirts, or his 70s jeans that I loved to wear in jr. high.   When Shelby whipped out these jeans from the depths of my jeans pile, she was shocked that I never wore them, and I was just so, so happy to see them, and a little teary.



When I wore my rad new outfit to the group photo-shoot at Malmaison in Georgetown, several fellow bloggers asked if I had destroyed/distressed the jeans myself or if they "came that way." When I explained that they were my father's, and that he had so artfully "distressed" them by mowing the grass, changing the car battery, and doing various other outside chores in them, I laughed to myself (and at myself) for not realizing what a gem had hiding in my closet! Move over boyfriend jeans, these are Dad Jeans, and they are AUTHENTIC.

There really is nothing like having someone else help you to shop your closet. Aside from the fact that getting more wear and re-styling the clothes you already own is much more eco-friendly than buying new ones, it's super fun, economical, and inspiring. If you have a friend whose style you admire, ask him/her to come over one day for a glass of wine and some style advice. Just as Shelby had us do, pick a few items that you can't let go of but also don't really wear, and let the magic happen.

STYLING by Shell B Cheri  /  PHOTOGRAPHY by Ashley Lettich  / WEARING vintage Levis, bag, gifted blazer, and eco-friendly white t-shirt by Alternative Apparel.

*To see more of Shell B Cheri's handiwork, check out #styledbyshellbcheri on Twitter and IG.

Traveling in Sustainable Style {Concordia Eco Resort, Saint John, USVI}

With temperatures dropping, the holidays looming, and neither of us having had a real vacation in more than a year, my husband and I decided to take a week-long jaunt to the U.S. Virgin Islands. Although we didn't intend to be quite so off-the-grid (my apologies for the week without a post!), it was really nice to unplug and slow down. The highlight of of trip was, easily, our stay at Concordia Eco Resort on Saint John.



We opted for the eco-tents, and were pleasantly surprised to find that we'd been upgraded to the newer "premium" tents, which were built higher up on the windier side of hill. Concordia's layout is similar to Aqua Wellness Resort in Nicaragua, in that each unit is built into the natural landscape and all walkways are raised, so as not to disturb the delicate eco-system beneath our feet. One of my New Year's Resolutions is to properly write up and share the amazing eco-ness that is Aqua, but for now, we'll stick to my most recent sustainable sojourn.



Each morning and evening, I stood (or sat, or generally lounged) on our balcony and looked out at this unbelievable, unobstructed view of the southeastern edge of Saint John. There's a rocky beach to the left, and just over to the right is the calm, crystal clear Salt Pond Bay, accessible via a 15 minute walk through a nature trail (or a quick drive, if preferred).

This stunning view is what you're paying for in Concordia's nightly rates, which might at first seem a little high for "eco tents,"  but I have to say our stay was worth every single penny.




None of the eco-tents are air-conditioned, but as you can see, A/C was not necessary with the powerful winds that crossed from the rockier side of the island, only to be tamed by our little hill before they reached the calm waters of the Bay.



Each "tent" is really a small wooden cabin with a tented roof and zip-down, screened windows that give a near-panoramic view of the surrounding landscape. There's a gas stove, refrigerator, cookware, ample lighting, and a separate (private) bathroom with a solar-heated shower. In fact, each unit is powered by solar panels that sit just under the balcony (ours are shown below).



Beaches are my jam, so our first stop was Salt Pond Bay, which has excellent snorkeling and crystal clear water (as do pretty much all of the beaches and bays on Saint John, to be fair). The nature trail from the Concordia property was easy enough in flip-flops and takes you past some old ruins and ginormous cactus plants, which dot all parts of the island.



From the beach, there are further trails that take you past the local flora and fauna and out to yet another stunning, panoramic view of Saint John. 







On the way back down from our hike (along the Ram's Head Trail), we caught a glimpse of Concordia and Salt Pond Bay from afar.

*Please pardon my attire-- I go full-on Katie Perry/Beyoncé on vacation, and prefer not to wear pants unless absolutely, 100% necessary. Pants were not necessary for this hike. In my opinion.



I couldn't have wished for a better retreat from the hustle, bustle, and freezing rain/sleet/snow of DC in December. Nor, for that matter, could I have wished for a better dinner/beach cover-up/all-purpose vacay dress than this 100% organic cotton chambray number from eco-friendly label Amour Vert to wear while I lazed around the eco-resort.Just as an FYI, the dress I'm wearing is now deeply discounted to $52. Just sayin.

But seriously, you guys: THAT VIEW.

Photography throughout by Rachel Mlinarchik and her obliging husband. 

WEARING:  100% organic cotton chambray shirt dress by Amour Vert (made in the USA)
Tarte Glamazon Lipstick in Fierce 

Pikolinos sandals, which were beaded under fair trade conditions and made in Spain 

(similar HERE, last worn HERE)

My favorite Mango Tree fitted bangle, made from sustainably grown mango tree wood. 

*UPDATE: Take 20% off of all Amour Vert clothing at Modavanti from now (12/19) through Sunday (12/22/) with code AMOUR


Get the look (fairly):

Shop My Eco-friendly Style Collection at Modavanti

I recently collaborated with Modavanti to edit the best of their Fall/Winter '13 sustainable style collection (just in time for holiday shopping, ladies!) and to answer a few questions about My Fair Vanity. Check it out here! 

Mode Marteau {Luxury Vintage Consignment}

I've mentioned Mode Marteau here on the blog before in a "three wishes" post, but with each new season, owner Ariana Boussard-Reifel surprises and delights me all the more with her sharp editorial eye and quirky tastes.

Her site is my go-to resource for luxury-quality vintage and designer items with a certain je ne sais quois. Ariana has a collector's taste that shines through in each piece she offers. What's more, she implements sustainable practices in many aspects of her business, from credit-union banking to recycled packaging. 

When a new Mode Marteau lookbook appeared in my inbox, I knew I had to share it with you all as soon as possible. Shot in Montana with a Go West theme, the looks Ariana has styled are pitch perfect for fall transitions and the photography is simply stunning. I've put together some of my favorites below, including some beautiful Frye boots and an Hermes scarf, and you can shop the full collection here.

Reader Bonus: Take 20% off at Mode Marteau with code MYFAIRVANITY

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