I may want summer to be here, but the truth is that it just isn’t.  Posting about sunscreen and stubbornly wearing skirts won’t change that.

I’ve noticed that I have unwittingly fallen into a winter beauty routine: I wake up, get ready for work, hop on the bus and immediately put lotion on my hands.

I get to work, wash my hands (busses are gross) and put more lotion on my hands.

…I have two bottles of lotion in my office, a travel-size container in my purse, and two more bottles at home: one on my nightstand and one by the bathroom sink.

It rubs the lotion on its skin or else it gets the hose again.

No matter how much water I drink, winter destroys my hands.  They’ve have gotten drier as I’ve gotten older, too, and I’m easily able to go through an entire eight-ounce container of lotion before it goes bad or I get bored.  As long a lotion is free of parabens, sulfates, phthalates and synthetic fragrances, I’ll make use of it.

Since my pot of Karma Kream is almost out, I’ve started looking for new lotions again.  Though I love the lotions I have, I’m not a brand loyalist (yet), so I’m really excited to try something new!

I see lotions scented with citrus, rose and lavender all the time, but almost never jasmine – and never, ever just jasmine. It’s one of my favorite scents, and finding a jasmine lotion created by eco-friendly Jurlique (price: $38) is huge. (I’d probably toss their Love Bomb, a salve that’s good for lips, fingertips and other small areas, in my purse.)

Out of Africa works with women’s co-operatives in Benin, West Africa to create raw, natural shea butter products that are vegan and eco-friendly, and uses the proceeds of their natural shea butters to support School Children Unite, giving kids in the same area better education opportunities. Their natural shea butters come in unscented, lavender and verbena, and they’re only $8.99 each.

I cannot believe that Hugo Naturals All Over Body Lotion is gluten-free, paraben-free, SLS-free, petroleum-free, vegan, only $9.99 and comes in all of these scents:

• Sea Fennel and Passionflower;
• Spearmint;
• Grapefruit;
• Lemon Verbena and Bergamot;
• Unscented;
• Vanilla and Sweet Orange;
• French Lavender; and
• Shea Butter and Oatmeal.

Lemon verbena and bergamot?  Sea fennel and passionflower?  I’ve died.  This is heaven.  Thanks, God.  Two moisturized thumbs way, way up.

Dr. Andrew Weil, the founder of integrative medicine, partnered with Origins to create a line of natural products. As a physician, he promotes integrating alternative and traditional medical techniques to achieve optimal health. He’s a big believe in stress reduction and is against the war on drugs. I dig him a whole lot, but even if I didn’t, I independently dig the idea of a Matcha-based lotion. Energizing!

I just received a sample of this hand cream and am really excited to try it. At first I thought, “Ew, cherry? Cherry princess? What is this?” Then I dabbed a little on my fingers, rubbed it in, and sniffed. It’s intoxicating: a blend of cherries and floral notes that is really unexpected, but not as “LOOK AT WHAT A GIRL I AM” as I thought it would be. I can’t wait to see how it wears throughout the day…and if I love it, I may even pick up the Cherry Princess Solid Perfume as an in-purse pick me up.

hemp

The end of the year is so dangerous for me. It’s especially dangerous this year: I’ve just resolved that I’d like to buy a house, which means “save save save”…which actually means “quit buying all the things on the internet.”

But mooooooom, LovingEco is having a saaaaaale.

LovingEco, an ethical sample sale website that we adore so much we partnered with them in September, is currently offering eight different brands at up to 90% off. Some of our favorites are likely to sell out fast.

 
I love sassy models.

I want to wear the Long Sleeve Lengthen Tee (priced at $32 – 57% off) to work on my off days. Haven’t slept? Wear an over-size (but slim-fit) tee and pretend you’re still in pajamas. Woke up with a headache? Curl up with your hands shoved into the sleeves and make your most pitiful face.

So basically I want to wear it every day.

I’d obviously pair my sleepytime shirt with these vegan ballerina flats by Kailia. Be still my heart! They were originally $119 – now only ten bucks!

The sale of this limited edition necklace by actress Maria Bello and her non-profit organization, We Advance, supports women in Haiti. Each piece is handcrafted from recycled materials, and gives you an “ethnic” look without forcing you to jump on the cultural appropriation train. At $32.95, this necklace is more than 50% off.

Vaute Couture (pronounced “vote” – think “haute” with a V) makes all of its products without the use of any animal products, byproducts or suffering. I love the shirt on the right – called “Friends, Not Entertainment” – and the script on the left is delicious. Both shirts are on sale for $28.80.

There’s a lot more LovingEco temptation to be had: PeaceBOMB bracelets, Blissoma skincare, Cityzen Green clothing, and Sword + Fern necklaces. It’s all just becoming too much for me. Time to remind myself of my goals by looking at pictures of my dream house…

eco

I now own yet another pair of oxfords.

What you are seeing are Lindsay’s feet (plus her amazing socks and new red skinnies) in a pair of Wanted Graham Oxfords. We spent hours – hours! – at our local DSW trying on every shoe known to man and posting them on Broke & Beautiful’s Facebook, but I fell in love with this pair. I knew I’d buy ‘em the moment I saw them.

I’ve worked through a grey pair of Wanted oxfords, was gifted a pair of blues (which are currently on sale for less than twenty bucks!), and am not the proud owner of these silvery-cream babes, and really, it’s because Wanted shoes are vegan, but they don’t really look vegan. They don’t do that plastic creasing thing that makes me scrunch up my face and wish for real leather, even though nine times out of ten real leather isn’t even close to ethical. (Exceptions: ethically-sourced, vegetable-tanned leather and re-purposed scrap leather. And for vegans, that still ain’t enough!)

Oof, I love that heel.

eco

Do you watch Breaking Bad? I do. I love it. I am possibly in love with the actor who plays Jesse. This may be because, when I was a teenager, I seemed to gravitate toward bad boys of middling height and a skinny frame who are only bad because ~they’re tortured~ and whatever. Also, shaved heads are my weakness.

But I digress.

During the early episodes of Season 4 (season four! oh my god! I promise: no spoilers!) my partner pointed out one of the jackets Jesse was wearing. It was kind of puffy, and warm-looking, and it had a plaid hood. I promised I’d go hunting for a similar jacket for him.

I failed (fashion blogging does not make me magical – that’s Lindsay’s job) but I did find out that Jesse’s jacket of that season’s later episodes was absolutely coveted by everyone who watched the show.

Swoon.

The jacket is probably the Superdry Brad Leather Jacket by Cult, which has also been worn by David Beckham, Josh Duhamel and Justin Bieber. (That last one is a name I’d never thought I’d say on this website…or in general…)

But because this is media, and because leather is the mark of bad boy sex appeal, this jacket is made of the real stuff (aka cow hide) and costs $350.00. Raise your hand (even if you wear leather) if you can afford that.

…do I hear crickets?

I became curious as to whether I could find an ethical field jacket (because that’s what this style essentially is) that would compare to Jesse’s swanky leather coat. I found two great options, both under $100 and both made of organic cotton.

Threads for Thought Trim Fit Organic Cotton Knit Jacket: $98

The cut on this jacket is really similar to the Brad Jacket. It’s made by the ethical designers at Threads for Thought, and I love the worn look of it.

Oneill Men’s Civilian Jacket: $58.00 – $71.60

This rain twill slub has a military fit and – fancy shmancy – an organic cotton chambray lining. Amazon is offering it in prices ranging from $58.00 to $71.60 depending on color (black or olive) and size.

I did find one faux leather option, but be warned: it’s PVC, which has its own environmental and health concerns. In short, it takes lots of chemicals to make PVC, which is a huge strain on the environment, and there are concerns that the chemicals within PVC can leech into our bodies and cause long-term damage. Companies in a number of fields (car manufacturing, hospitals, children’s toys) have stopped using PVC “as a precaution” and I know a few people that won’t wear it, ever. At the same time, a number of you are vegans who love their fake leather, so I wouldn’t want to deny you the option!

Levi’s Military Jacket: $130 $64.99

And it’s on sale, and it has a zip-out hood, and it’s pretty sexy-looking.

Images of Jesse are screencaps of Breaking Bad, copyright AMC.

eco

I stumbled across Saucony years ago while at the mall with my family. That day I picked up a pair of bright pink and black Jazz Originals, and wore them ’til they died a cruel, shoey death. Then I picked up a pair of green and orange Low Pros – a little less cushioning, a little more mellow of a style. Now those sneakers are almost treadless, and it’s time for a new pair.

A simple Shopstyle search for a new pair of Sauconys led me to a fantastic realization: Saucony now offers its Jazz Low Pro in all-vegan materials.

Women’s Vegan Low Pro in Tan/Purple

Saucony’s Low Pro Vegans are made using canvas and hemp instead of leather or suede, and still have the same top-notch support and construction as their other low-pro shoes. The come in women’s and men’s styles, and a ton of colors. I’m only posting my favorites because, well, I’m selfish.

Men’s Vegan Low Pro in Brown

All of Saucony’s vegan styles run at around $55, which is a solid standard price for a good sneaker. They never look as cool off of feet as they do on – to me, anyway – and I LOVE the way they look under wide- and flare-leg jeans.

Women’s Vegan Low Pro in Charcoal/Orange

Men’s Vegan Low Pro in Green

Remember: these come in a million colors, including classic black. I like them as an arch-supporting alternative to Simple Shoes and other “vegan converse” look-alikes. (Though they’re pretty cute, too.) What do you think? Would you wear these for weekend errands or trips to the dog park?

eco

Image via Fortaguada

Animal rights supporters will be excited to hear that the West Hollywood City Council has voted to ban the sale of fur within its city limits. The ban was adopted on September 20 and was supposed to be enacted on June 12, but there was a little problem: the fur industry’s main trade group is based in West Hollywood. From Mother Nature Network:

“The ban was tentatively adopted by the council on September 20 and had been expected to win easy enactment two weeks later.

But it ran into stiff opposition from the local Chamber of Commerce and the fur industry, whose main trade group, the Fur Information Council of America, happens to be based in West Hollywood.

Opponents say nearly half of the 200 apparel stores in town sell at least some fur items, and that merchandise made with animal pelts is estimated to account for up to $2 million in revenues for those businesses each year.”

Oops.

Despite the opposition, the city is moving forward with the ban, choosing to enact it in September 2013 so they can conduct a study of how it will affect local businesses. Good on ya, West Hollywood – and good luck!

eco

I don’t wear much makeup day to day – just some mineral powder and the occasional slip of mascara – but I love wearing it during the holiday season. This lady wants to embody that Christmas spirit, you know?

It’s one of the reasons I love the annual gift sets that cosmetic companies create: those little samples are the perfect holiday size, and even if I don’t use them throughout the year I don’t feel like they’re wasted. This year, I’m excited to see that an ethical cosmetic company, tarte cosmetics, has pulled together a few holiday sets for me to choose from.

Shining Stars Limited Edition Best Sellers Collection: $25

Everything from tarte cosmetics is both vegan and cruelty-free, so you can be certain that not a single animal was intentionally harmed in the process of creating or testing their products. I love cheek and lip tint, so I’m really, really excited about this set.

Puttin’ on the Glitz: $48

This set, on the other hand, is too rich for my blood. If I was even halfway decent at applying shadow, however, I’d snap it up in a heartbeat. It comes with three interchangeable palettes so you can go from day to night to…later that night? (I love how the bag shimmers.)

Intro to Tarte: $25

If you’ve never tried tarte, you should pick up their Intro to Tarte set. It contains all of their best sellers in cute travel sizes, so you don’t have to make a serious investment just to try them out.

Speaking of holiday beauty, have you signed up for the Ethical Rag yet? The first 200 people to sign up are entered into a giveaway to win a gift set of brushes by EcoTools, pigments by Radiant Cosmetics and an eco beauty book!

eco