People are crazy part I

Yesterday I was talking to someone I have known for a while. Not really a friend but someone I mostly talk about “spiritual stuff”. Now this is not the place to discuss this in details but I always assumed that if you really are into spirituality you are supposed to at least understand the idea of being vegan. I am not saying you should be vegan but at least you should understand and accept that some people are. For some reason I “came out” as vegan with this person only yesterday and the first reaction was him telling me that being vegan was such a dangerous diet, that because his friend was vegan and she had liver problems! Anyway, I tried to make my point about being vegan, politely, mostly using the ecological side of things but this guy told me that it was fine to eat meat. It is the destiny of animals to be eaten. They are on this planet, like us, to learn and they choose their path like we do and being eaten is part of their destiny! Ok, needless to say I was shocked, however, I asked how did he know that and he said that he did because some spirit he channeled told him so!

Booja-Booja Chocolate

Let’s take a short break from shoes and clothes and let’s talk about chocolate. I don’t really have a sweet tooth but I am crazy about Booja-Booja.  Midnight Express being my favourite type.

They won lots of awards, 25 to be precise:

• 2005 Award for best 100% Vegetarian Box of Chocolates
  from the Vegetarian Society for Gourmet Truffle Selection
• Best Packaging Design 2004 – The Soil Association
• Best Organic Confectionery 2003 – The Soil Association
• Best New Organic Food Product 2003 – Natural Product Awards
• Best Organic Packaging 2003 – Natural Trade Show Awards
• Good Taste Award 2003 – Gold Award
• Organic Food Award 2002 – The Soil Association
• Good Taste Award 2002 – Die Auszeichnung für delikaten Geschmack
• Good Taste Award 2001 – 3 Prämierungen
• Organic Food Award 2000 – The Soil Association
• Best New Organic Food Product 2000 – Natural Products Award
• Good Taste Award 2000 – The Guild of Fine Food Retailers
• Organic Food Award 1999 – The Soil Association

You can find it in many health shops including Whole Foods.

Vegan Earth Shoes

I bought new vegan shoes from Ilovethseshoes.com but this time I went for the ethical, healthy non stylish option. I have to say they look so much better than the picture and with my biker jacket I look almost like a member of Bros! The plus side is that they are very comfy and if I plan the whole outfit well you don’t even notice the shoes! This is what they say on their website:

“Imagine a shoe so different it changes how you think about footwear and exercise – and also fits in with the values you live by and the morals you believe in. Earth Vegan Footwear is certified by the Vegan Society, meaning that no animal or animal by-products are used in its design or development.

All Earth Vegan Footwear also features Earth Kalso Negative Heel Technology. This shifts your body weight back by positioning the heel slightly lower than the toes, correcting posture and enabling better breathing. This slight incline of 3.7 degrees re-distributes the body’s weight back over the heels, helping to promote a range of added health benefits – from better leg and calf toning, to tighter thighs and stronger core muscles – and help to burn more calories with every step.

Kalso Negative Heel Technology is the primary point of difference with all Earth Footwear, and although the incline is slight, the benefits are significant – with the weight back over your heels, Earth moves you in to a more natural, empowered position. Walking and standing becomes more anatomically correct, and more efficient, so you can look good and also feel great on the inside. Aiming to change the way you view the importance of the footwear you wear everyday, Earth have created styles of shoes that fit in to your current wardrobe and keep up with changing fashions as well as fit in with your Vegan beliefs – giving you the opportunity to change how you look after your health and live lifestyle from the bottom up.”

So far so good, I will keep you updated on future developments and I will try to post pictures where you can actually see how they look on a human being…

Dries van Noten Glazed shadow print suit

Let’s face it. Being Vegan is quite easy today. The 3 most difficult things are getting nice shoes a sandwich in M&S or a good suit that’s why I tend to concentrate on 2 of them on my blog. This one really is amazing. Is 100% cotton!!

I will paste the description I found on Brown’s site as it is better than mine.

“A charcoal coloured suit with a subtle geometric print. Peak lapels lead into a single breasted, two button fastening front. A breast pocket sits to the left; more pockets sit on either side of the waist. One interior breast pocket. Long sleeves with four buttons on the cuffs. The hemline falls to the hips.

Straight leg trousers have a button fastening at the waist band leading into a zip fly front. Belt loops. Two main pockets on the front with one smaller pocket below the waist band to the right. Two further pockets on the back.

A suit with a modern print this glazed shadow print suit by Dries Van Noten will carry you through spring/summer in style”

Raf Simons light twill patch jacket

Enough of womens stuff! Time for a nice jacket. I love this one particularly because of the patch as my name starts with R as well. The model looks far too skinny but the jacket definitely has a nice fit like most RS stuff. You can find it at http://www.luisaviaroma.com. The retail price is £ 498.60.

adidas by Stella McCartney

I have mentioned already that I like Adidas by Stella McCartney stuff. I mean, let’s face it, most sportswear for women is (pardon my French) a bit s**t bu Stella manages to make sportswear that is really flattering and extremely (I have been told) functional. I know that most sportswear is “vegan” anyway but I wanted to post this stuff as SM is the biggest designer that has a no leather/fur policy.

Missoni for Converse

I love Missoni and I love a converse so what’s better than a Missoni Converse? They would look good even on a vegan crusty sort of person!

They are out in March apparently but I don’t know anything else about it, will keep you posted.

The Shallow Vegan Loves Natalie Portman

Seeing the latest issue of V made me think how much I love Natalie Portman.  She is an amazing actress, she is also very beautiful and super smart too! Natalie  has been vegetarian since childhood and became Vegan in 2009 apparently after reading Jonathan Safran Foer’s Eating Animal. She does not eat animal products or wear fur, feathers or leather and she still looks amazing!  Apparently all of her shoes are either from Target or Stella McCartney.

In 2007, she launched her own brand of vegan footwear which I believe is available only in the US so far.

Comme des Garçons Beatles bags

CDG did a Beatles inspired line this season that looks awful, especially the shirts (Vile!!!) however the bags are amazing even though a little overpriced. I do like them though. They are all made with synthetic leather and they come in different shapes and colours. They are all on sale at Dover Street Market. Google it to find their web site! I know,  I feel so lazy today I don’t even have the strength to copy and past their URL! I know my readers are all really smart though and know how to find things on their own!

Marc Jacobs heeled wellies

Another one for the girls. I could not resist as these boots are my fave wellies for girls at the moment. I love the fact they have a cute little heel! They are also available in black but I personally like the white version better!

You can find them at net NET-AT-PORTER.COM and they retail at £168.59, odd price innit!

J+ UNIQLO Trousers by Jil Sander

You guys know I love UNIQLO and I love Jil Sander too.  So what’s better than a nice pair of JS trousers for £39.99? I am not sure really! The line is actually called J+ as the Jill Sander brand was sold to Prada a while ago and now I believe Raf Simons is designing it!

These are definitely my favourite ones at UNIQLO and they are 100% cotton! I think with a white tee and the JS scarf I posted earlier it would look rather good!

Red Plaid Shirt, Polo Ralph Lauren

There are lots of reasons why I like this shirt. I like the pattern very much and I also like the fact that is  cotton but still quite thick and warm.  Very often during the winter I have to resort to wearing polyester or acrylic jumpers and honestly I don’t like that very much. I also have this thing for Ralph Lauren since visiting the big store they have in Bond Street in London. I always dismissed as boring American casual wear but I found out they have lots of amazing stuff. Anyway, this shirt is on sales at Liberty in London for £150 but I am pretty sure is available in other department stores where they sell RL and definitely in RL stores.

Vegetarian shoes brogue/airseal boots

I really like these shoes and I really want them but they are sold out at the moment. I check almost every day to see if they have them but they are still sold out, even though more than 10 days ago they said on the site they were going to get them in….10 days! How disappointing. Anyway, they are available in other sizes either than size 10, my size obviously. I really like them because I do like a brogue in general but these look a lot more comfortable because of the rubber sole. They are on sale at Vegetarian Shoes in Brighton or their website http://www.vegetarian-shoes.co.uk/

Stella McCartney shoes

I don’t want to post much womenswear as there are other sites that do that better than I do  but I do like Stella McCartney shoes. She is one of the few designers committed to design cruelty free and stylish stuff. As I said many times you don’t have to be a hemp wearing hippy to show you care about animals and  she does stylish and luxurious very well. If you are a woman and want to treat yourself to a pair of amazing shoes just visit one of her shops. There is one in London and they also sell her stuff at Harvey Nicks and other department stores. Also visit her web site: http://www.stellamccartney.com/where you can also see the other stuff she designs. The Adidas stuff being my fave sportswear for women ever!

Burberry Prorsum Double-Breasted Linen Coat

See, a nice coat doesn’t have to be necessarily made with wool.  This one looks amazing actually. The fabric is 67% Linen 33% Cotton which means it does not crease as much as 100% linen.  This is also on sale @ Browns.  Check their website for more info.

Jil Sander Linen Scarf

I am not overly keen on scarfs tbh especially when is not cold enough to wear one. I am not into useless accessories full stop, however, I really like this Jil Sander linen scarf.

It is on sales @ Browns for the “bargain” price of £140.

Vegan Lube

I guess some of you do have sex and I am pretty sure many of you like to use lubricant when they do. I just found these ones that are Vegan Society approved and they are 100% natural.

This is the description I’ve found on their site:

“Welcome to Starglide 100% natural lubricant with organic ingredients. Our products do not contain any parabens, petrochemicals, silicones, glycols, mineral oils, hormones, artificial colours, flavours, perfumes or preservatives.
The Starglide range is dermatologically tested, vegan society approved and has not been tested on animals.

We use plant based ingredients including organic aloe vera and organic liquorice root. In our flavoured ranges we only use organic plant based ingredients to add delicious aroma and taste to our products.”

Check www.starglide.co.uk for more info.

Charity shops

I love charity shops! Shopping in charity shops is one of my favourite things to do. Stuff tends to be very cheap and what is most ecological than using clothes that another person does not need or use anymore?  Some of my best items of clothing are from charity shops. Is basically the best way to recycle stuff. Also on top of that you give money to a charity which is also good. Some charities though give money that goes to animal testing. I do avoid this type of charity. So do your research before you do buy in  charity shops as well as some are not 100% ethical.

Net Curtains

I am actually not sure if that is just a British thing but I believe there is very little that is as horrible as net curtains. They are so disgusting I don’t have words to describe them. I actually do have words to describe them and none of them is a positive one.

Why would you put in your shit council estate flat a lacy curtain? Do they think it is going to look more expensive? Or maybe they think that a little lace is going to look (on some disgusting 1970’s building) a bit posh, or Victorian or I don’t know what. It certainly goes well with a nice pair of Reebok classics and a white track suit! And with some funky Argos furniture maybe?

Lets be real

As it is a bit unrealistic for me being able to keep 2 blogs running I decided to have just this one. The Cingomma one is gone but I thought I will repost some of the stuff here. I will stick with the idea of ethically conscious and stylish stuff but I will also post other stuff. Feel free to skip things if you are not interested in. I will also be very spontaneous as I don’t have the time to edit this therefore if something sounds rubbish just forgive me for it. I will try to do my best though.