Red Letter Day

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? 

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Kiss Slavery Goodbye

Whatever our jobs may be, it's easy to take for granted that we are in a safe space, performing our duties of our own free will. Though it's a heavy note on which to begin the week, the truth is that too many women around the world are not free to choose how they spend their time on this earth.  January is National Human Trafficking Awareness Month, and here at Fair Vanity, I'm helping Radiant Cosmetics raise awareness of this painful fact.

Radiant Cosmetics is a social enterprise makeup company that donates 20% of their profits to an anti-trafficking organization called Redeemed Ministries. Additionally, through January 31, for each lipstick you purchase, Radiance will donate one lipstick to a current victim or survivor of human trafficking.

Radiant was kind enough to send me a sample of their Flamenco red lipstick and I absolutely love it and can easily recommend it. As you will see in future posts, the color is incredibly versatile because of its high levels of pigment, and it's an on-trend matte that's not drying, which is hard to find. What's more, this particular shade has a candy-colored tint that's less severe than a true red, which makes it work well for day or for night.

I'm also proud to share that Radiant lists all ingredients for every single product, and they manufacture right here in the USA.

If you'd like, you can participate in their campaign, too. All you have to do is send out a couple of tweets or pin an image of their lipsticks or this post-- just remember to include #KissSlaveryGoodbye. Through January 31, I'll be sharing different facts and figures about human trafficking in order to help them raise awareness, and I would love your help in the getting the word out. In the meantime, you can learn more about human trafficking here: http://www.radiantcosmetics.org/pages/human-trafficking

You can also follow me at @fairvanitydc on Twitter or instagram and retweet/repost my updates this week to help bring awareness to the plight of daughters, sisters and mothers around the world who are living and working as modern-day slaves.

A {Fair} Brunch at Nick's Riverside Grill

I spent a lovely Saturday afternoon drinking Mimosas and eating belgian waffles at Nick's Riverside Grill in Georgetown this past weekend. Capitol Movement was hosting their 2nd Annual Brunch Fundraiser, and as a proud company member, I was not about to miss an opportunity to support my second family.

Fair Vanity exists to promote style that is kind to people and/or kind to the earth, and you can't get much kinder or more stylin' than Capitol Movement. From providing free dance education and mentoring to DC public school students in low-income neighborhoods to performing for our service men and women abroad, Capitol Movement allows me to serve others by doing something I love, and that is beautiful, fair, and kind. I also get to hang out with the rockin' people you see in the photos above.

Throughout the afternoon, we raffled off prizes like free ice skating sessions, spa trips, and tickets to our upcoming shows, and members of our pre-professional and adult companies provided some outstanding entertainment while everyone ate. We also enjoyed the support of the lovely, warm and kind Ms. Black D.C., otherwise known as Ms. Tecoya Gordon.

There are always three elements you won't want to miss at any Capitol Movement event: great prizes, beautiful dancing, and stylin' people (something about the arts world makes people more fabulous, I'm sure of it). I promise to post a save-the-date for our next get together, but you can also watch for upcoming happenings by visting www.capitolmovement.org, liking CMI on facebook, or following us on Twitter @CapitolMovement. While you're at it, come follow me, too @FairVanityDC!

Last but not certainly not least, I made a new friend in Josh Gaines, the handsome fellow you see above. He and the lovely Gina Oliva volunteered their photographic skills for the shots in front of the ice rink. Thank you so much, Gina and Josh!

How to Get This Look:
Big suprise: my shoes and jacket are from Secondi, but I'm also wearing my favorite new color-blocked jeans, which are made in the USA by Koral. They're deeply discounted online right now at Niemen Marcus in red and in brown, ladies! You can acquire a t-shirt like mine from American Apparel and snap-up non-toxic nail polish like the shade I'm wearing from Essie.

Perhaps the coolest new item I'm wearing is my new cork clutch. I bought it in Lisbon as a make-up bag, but it's so snazzy I had to try it out as an accessory instead. You can learn more about why cork is so sustainable and buy many, many cork things here.

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Cafe au Lait

Styled by Victoria Corkhill
Photography by Victoria Corkhill

Last week I had a quick meeting at Filter, a local DC coffee shop that might just have the Best Coffee in DC. This kind of statement is controversial, I know. There are many local contenders very nearby, such as the delicious Dolcezza, but they're already known for their amazing gelattos made from locally grown ingredients. When it comes to coffee, Filter is da bomb. Can I still say that? I'm saying it.

Here is why Filter is da bomb:

Boston Public

Back Bay Yoga

Before heading up to Portland,  I flew into Boston to meet my friend Carissa (of Breathing Room Yoga) for a workshop with David Regelin at Back Bay Yoga. It was an awesome time, not just because we got to learn so much from David, but because I had never been to the Back Bay area of Boston. As you can see, the firemen of Back Bay are very, very nice! As soon as they saw us snapping pictures, they opened up the door and invited us in to look around.

P.S. This outfit is 100% in keeping with my Fair Vanity Challenge, which you can learn more about here.  From other posts (THIS ONE and THIS ONE specifically) you've seen all of these elements: my Staring at Stars crochet shirt (made in the USA) and the linen maxi dress, both purchased in July from Secondi, and both in heavy rotation in my wardrobe. The belt is from Secondi, too. Last but not least, I'm carrying a clutch from Secondi that was given to me as a birthday gift a few years back. Whenever I wear it I feel so grateful to the stylin' friend who not only chose it for me, but let it out of her hands! I don't think I could have been that strong. Thank you, Carissa!

P.P.S. I always kind of liked Boston Public. Just sayin.

Tuesday Trend: Nautical Stripes

Tuesday Trend: Printed Shorts

It's not too late to embrace this fun summer trend, my friends, and there are plenty of fair trade, made in the USA, and handmade options available to choose from.

1. Brocade shorts are made by Sessun, whose designer "uses organic fibres and fair trade crops wherever possible."
2. Black and white scenic printed shorts are handmade in the USA by Shop Chant on Etsy
3. Blue plaid shorts are made by upcycling old fabrics, so each pair is one of a kind, by ReLuxe
4. African print blue tailored short are fair trade by Fair + True 

I love those brocade shorts, but I would not pair them with socks and tennis shoes like they have above.  For a night out, you could go with a beautiful, sheer sequined top from Juno and Jove (on sale!), or you could tuck in a sheer collared shirt for more of a daytime look. Add a flat sandal in the same color family and you're good to go.

1. Sequined tank is made with organic cotton by Edun and available from Juno and Jove. Edun is the line started by Bono, and they describe themselves as a global fashion brand working toward long-term commitments to develop ethical trade in Africa and emerging nations. Their designs support efforts to increase earth-friendly practices worldwide. 
   
2. Chiffon top is made in the USA by American Apparel
3. Sandals are vegan and made of recycled faux suede by Olsen Haus

Tuesday Trend: Hottest Summer Hats

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!

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. 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).



Vintage Stetson from Abbeysaccessories on Etsy ($62).



Vintage blue fedora by ReVampingVintage on Etsy ($24).



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



Hat is made in Memphis, TN and available by MakoskyMillinery on Etsy ($175)





Handmade from TheMillineryShop on Etsy ($190)