Tag Archives: fashion

Embracing Awareness with Hearts

Happy Earth Day! In honor of today, I want to tell you guys about a wonderful fashion e-commerce retail site I discovered last week that inspires people to think differently about what they buy. Consumerism can impact change on a global scale and that’s why Hearts believes in conscious consumerism, which only comes with transparency–meaning you know the facts about the items you purchase. Do you ever question whether the products you buy exert a high impact on the earth? Are they ethically sourced? You get the picture.

Creating Change with Conscious Minds

Hearts is part of a growing fashion movement that collaborates with artisans in the U.S. and around the globe to offer rare, chic designs that keep “people and planet” in mind. Eco-friendly materials are used whenever possible and items are crafted with low-impact processes. What I love most about Hearts is their mantra of working toward conscious consumerism and demanding that other companies do the same. And that you can purchase products from around the world (you know how much I love anything travel-related!) that you cannot find here.

HeartsDotCom

Fashioning a Better Future

What exactly can you buy on the Hearts website? Bags, jewelry, fashion accessories–you name it! They make it easy to find what you’re looking for too. You can shop by Process, Materials, and World Causes, for example. Or you can find your own style within the Hearts collection and shop by your personal style: Advocate, Peacemaker, Explorer, Ambassador, Rebel, or Historian.

I was personally drawn to the Hearts site by their really cool, different items made from natural materials. But once I learned the story behind the brand, I was even more interested in supporting their business. How great would it be if for every item you ever bought, you’d be able to learn exactly where it came from, how it was made, and how your purchase would benefit the artisan(s) who made it?

If you care about fashion and world affairs, and would like to learn more about Hearts’ Product Values, head on over to their site for a ton of info on how fashion can positively affect people and the planet.

Where do you usually shop for environmentally-friendly, sustainable products?

 

Disclosure: Hearts did not ask me to write this nor did I receive any compensation for this post. I just really love what they’re doing!

How to Travel Comfortably yet in Style

Travel Chic

It’s the middle of winter and the temperature has been frigid lately here in the northeast. What better time to plan a spring break getaway? Aside from fantasizing about what you’ll wear on vacation, you should also think about what to wear when you’re on your way. The goal is to look good but stay comfortable, especially depending on how long your flight is!

One of the things to consider when picking out your travel outfit is how to make it easy on yourself when going through the TSA security line. Pick a pair of shoes that easily slip on and off without pesky laces to worry about, such as every-trendy cowboy boots, which have a slight heel to add some glam.

Something else to ponder is whether you’re usually hot or cold on airplanes. You never quite know what it’s going to be like on the plane, so the trick is to either wear layers, or go for a light jacket and scarf to keep you warm just in case, but wear a short-sleeved shirt underneath that won’t make you feel too hot either. Also, make sure that the jacket isn’t too bulky, since you’ll have to probably carry it on you for the duration of the flight.

As for pants, I usually go for jeans because they fit well, are always comfy, and go with pretty much everything. And unless you enjoy taking multiple carry-on bags with you, go for a large handbag like this tote, which will fit most essentials and will keep your stress at a minimum.

Belts and jewelry are accessories that will add some chic to your wardrobe but you may want to think twice about wearing a watch since it will be one more item to take off while on the security line. Finally, never, ever forget to bring pair of sunglasses. Why? Well, you can hide your tired, jet-lagged eyes (believe me, you’ll be glad you have them with you once you arrive at your final destination), and those peepers should always be protected from harmful UV rays.

So, what are some of your airport fashion must-haves?

Get the look above:

Channeling the ‘80s Through Carrie

Image via ZAP2it

Image via ZAP2it

I don’t know about you, but I live in a constant state of ‘80s nostalgia. As a child of a time where big hair and crazy print fashion were not only acceptable but in, I’m a little biased. And don’t even get me started on the music—I have more 80s artists on my Pandora stations playlist than from any other decade. So don’t judge me when I say that I was really curious to see what the CW’s new show The Carrie Diaries would do to my beloved 80s.

This former Sex and the City fan was afraid the storyline would not match up to my vision of a high school, pre-NYC Carrie Bradshaw. And I may not have been wrong about that, but then again, I’m not really into the show for the story; for those of you who don’t know, the show, which is based off of Candace Bushnell’s prequel novel by the same name, takes some liberties with Carrie’s backstory, but I won’t go into that because I’m not here to prove factual inaccuracies.

I am, however, thrilled with the music and fashion inserted flawlessly into every episode. Billy Idol, Duran Duran, Depeche Mode, Talking Heads, New Order, Modern English—these are just a few of all the musical greatness that has already graced just the first two episodes! This alone is enough to hook me, but what keeps me coming back for more each week is the awesome 80’s style choices. As a friend of mine said, now that Gossip Girl is gone, we needed a fabulous fashion replacement that was equally a love letter to New York City.

We all know that fashion is cyclical, and clearly the 80s have made a fashion comeback in recent years, but I couldn’t help but laugh this week when I saw AnnaSophia Robb (in character as Carrie) wearing an almost identical sweater to one I just got from Gap about two months ago. Maybe that’s what’s so enthralling about the fashion on this show—that while it’s nostalgic, it’s also something we might totally, or actually, wear today.

Let’s have a look, shall we?

Image via She Knows

Image via Star Pulse

the-carrie-diaries.fanpop2

Image via Fan Pop

Image via Fan Pop

Image via Hollywood Reporter

What’s so great about 80’s fashion is that you could pretty much mix and match anything and it would work. In a way, it was easy and uncomplicated. Neons, sequins, patterns, animal prints, polka dots, solids, stripes—you name it. The rule was there are no rules. Anything goes!

What do you think? Would you wear any of these looks from The Carrie Diaries? As for me, I’ll be tuning in next week in hopes of hearing The Cure on a future episode and to see how I can inject even more color into my own wardrobe.