Thursday, April 29, 2010

Fashion: Vegan Fashion Collage

Though its sort of embarrassing for me to post photos of What I Wore Today, I continue to set up my self-timer, try to keep all of the animals in my house from photo-bombing, and post images on my FASHION BLOG to hopefully show people that you can still be fashionable (or "normal" looking, e.g. you don't have to have dread locks and wear only tie dye) without wearing animal products.



Like I've said before and will say again, veganism isn't just about a diet, its a lifestyle. Its a conscious choice in consumerism, to not purchase products that were made and marketed with animal suffering. This means no Leather, no Wool, no Silk, no Furs.

For new vegans, realizing how much of your closet has leather (shoes, belts, bags, jackets, jewelry, small details and adornments) alone can be eye-opening. So much of this we take for granted, and don't see the face behind these products who died for us to wear these things. It makes you realize, THIS MUCH of the fashion industry promotes and exploits killing animals.

And I'm not trying to be preachy, it just is what it is. Those cute boots, that expensive bag, the seats in your luxury car used to live, breathe, feel pain, and bleed. Just saying.

Gore aside, I think that its important to be aware of the lives we live and the impacts we make by choosing which markets to support. There is a lot of fashion out there that is cruelty-free, and not just made from woven hemp drenched in patchouli.

Vintage shopping is my favorite, because buying used its a way to recycle. Cottons, Linens, Denim, Lace, Spandex, Polyester, Canvas, Fleece, Terry-Cloth, Rayon, Velvet, Corduroy, Vinyl, Man-Mades, Synthetics, and sure even hemp fabrics are vegan-safe and vintage stores are brimming with pretty dresses, nice worn-in jeans, and blouses. Some vegans are less strict about their animal-restrictions when buying vintage, and I will admit that I have a few silk scarves that used to be my grandmothers, and a wool sweater or two from my early thrifting days... but even vintage leathers and furs- to me, are creepy to wear. Why drape myself in corpses?

Buying handmade, or if you're crafty enough, making your own clothes or alterations is also a great way to dress sustainably. If you like new clothes (especially underwear), I shop American Apparel, and Victoria's Secret (vicky's secret's perfumes and body lotions are also vegan). Happy shopping.

Sunday, April 25, 2010

Fashion: Sun is Back!

When we went swimming, a cute lil lady-bug landed on my head and my husband took her picture.


vintage blue blouse | hand me down  black skirt | Target manmade moccasins brown shoes | hankie headband white accessories |
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Saturday, April 24, 2010

Events: Worldwide Vegan Bake Sale

Today was the Worldwide Vegan Bakesale, and I stopped by to pick up some yummy treats, donate the rest of my banana almond muffins, and meet a lady friend for some coffee to wash all the delicious vegan goodies down with. Yummmm.


Fashion: Swim Day


aa from factory flea... green top $5 | Keds white shoes | Diesel used to be my husband blue shorts | mountain dew free from sxsw black sunglasses  
Etsy with stones silver necklace
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Friday, April 23, 2010

Fashion: La Luminata

In case you haven't already checked out the eco magazine I write for, La Luminata, based out of the UK... here's a link to the articles I've published and a few of my vegan fashion and style highlights. Enjoy xoxo




If you have suggestions for eco fashion, vegan beauty, or sustainable style features that you would like me to write about and publish in this sustainable trends magazine, please comment,
or email them to me at: contact@tylerjanuary.com

Thursday, April 22, 2010

Dining: An Austin Excursion to Borbeleta

Tonight my husband took me out to one of our haven't-been-to-yet restaurants on our list of Veg Guide to Austin eateries.

Tonight we headed to an all raw, vegan establishment in spirit of Earth Day (which to us is every day).

Bobeleta is small, and cozy, with very friendly, helpful service and well-put together decor (I loved their silverware). Its a bit smaller than Beets, but the price is about the same. We liked it! I ordered the "pizzas" and Jason had the "fajitas." Of course I also had to try a piece of the strawberry "cheesecake" for dessert. We definitely recommend checking it out if your in the neighborhood.

Dining: Everything's Bigger in Texas.




*all tortillas are vegan, except for the whole wheat ones, and I would also avoid the re-fried beans. rumors say they are not vegan, but either way, whole black and pinto beans are healthier! 

yummmmmmm

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Animals: Baby Kittens Rescue

My husband came home from work last night as he usually does around 7pm. I had dinner started and was chopping peppers when after his "honey I'm home!" kiss he said, "Did you see the kittens?"

When he pulled in the driveway, the neighbors asked him what they should do. Two baby cats between 2-3 weeks old were huddled against their house/fence in the open, with no mama cat in sight for hours. Their Beagle on the other side of the fence just kept barking at them, and it was starting to get dark.

I told Jason, "I'm going to call all my veg. friends and see if anyone knows how to help us after-business hours," and found a box and towels to put them in to bring them inside before it got too dark, or too cold.

As my husband researched online, he found THIS article which was extremely helpful. I called a friend who told me that the first thing I should do is go out and buy formula before the stores close. I bought some and a tiny baby kitten bottle.

I posted on facebook, craigslist, and the VRA community bulletin board, and left messages on the Austin Pets Alive, Central Texas SPCA, and Austin Humane Society answer machines and waited. I stayed with my little ones all night feeding them every 2 hours, and got a handful of craigslist responses many of which were just to give helpful advice and best wishes, but one in particular was from a woman who was able to help these kittens out.

Ailyx Gomez is an angel, she is a stay at home mom who just finished nursing and weaning a feral stray kitten and works in her neighborhood to help spay and neuter the feral cats that are in her area (which is close to our home). She has also rescued puppies and even a lost domesticated Parrot. Her next door neighbor works for Animal Trustees of Austin and helps her with rescues.  She told me that not only does she have experience nursing baby kittens, but she will definitely take them to the vet's for a check-up, get them both spayed/neutered when they are of age and give them a forever home. She also told me she will keep me up to date with their progress and send pictures as they mature.

I'm so glad that these little abandoned babies have found a new loving, forever family and home. I miss them already, but am glad to have them going to a place near by where they will be safe and flourish.

Monday, April 19, 2010

Dining: Fete Accompli goes Vegan for Earth Day (and Every Monday)!

Today my boss took me out to lunch for a special pre-Earth Day treat @ Fete Accompli. In spirit of being green for Earth Day (this coming Thursday) everything on Fete's menu was completely VEGAN for a day! It was absolutely delicious. ALL of it. Here's some pics:

I got a 1/4 lb of the whole-wheat pasta with peanut sauce, a cup of the lentil soup and 2 of the vegan peanut butter-chocolate truffles... My boss got the 4-salad sample plate, with black quinoa salad, spinach salad, a potato dish and hummus (the plate also came with a cookie- she got an oatmeal raisin one). And because it was an extra long monday, she also splurged and got us some YUMMY chocolate dessert bars (with nuts and gram crackers, so tasty).

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 As Copied from VegAustin.com's Feature of the month:  

Visit VegAustin.com HERE.

Fête Accompli
917 W 12th St
Austin, Texas
512-478-3383

"We’re  excited to announce that after working with Compassion Over Killing and VegAustin.com,  Fête Accompli, a newly-opened restaurant in downtown Austin,  is celebrating Earth Day by going 100% vegan on Mon., April 19!

That’s right: on April 19, Fête Accompli’s already vegan-friendly menu will be entirely meat-, egg-, and dairy-free. Featured menu items will include Fête’s scrumptious peanut butter truffles and a delightful Thai peanut salad, along with a variety of other animal-friendly soups, salads, sandwiches, entrées, and desserts!

So join us for lunch or dinner at Fête Accompli (open from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.) on April 19 to help protect the planet and animals—and don’t forget to tell them that VegAustin.com sent you!"


This Event was also featured in VEGNEWS.COM, Go VegAustin!!! 

****UPDATE: Due to the success of this event, Fete Accompli now offers an all-vegan menu EVERY MONDAY! Support their efforts and awareness of an incredible and scrumptious cause to reduce our global impact. Meatless (vegan) Mondays!

Thursday, April 15, 2010

Recipes: Banana Bread Thursday

For some reason my husband and I can never finish eating a bunch of bananas before they start to turn brown, and since I'm not one to waste any food... I always throw the blackened ones in the freezer. My best friend's mom growing up did this, and I didn't realize why until I ate a slice of her banana bread, "Save them up in the Freezer so they don't go bad, because the blacker, more ripe the bananas, the better."

Here's my first attempt at Banana bread, recipe found HERE: Vegweb.com.

And since I don't have a bread-pan to pour the batter into, I've made Bananabread Muffins (with left-over Halloween cupcake wrappers). Bake time was 25 minutes. I also substituted Almond Slivers for the Walnuts, b/c it was what I had. YUM! They turned out SO GOOD!

Dry Ingredients:

Wet Ingredients (remember to thaw bananas first):
Blended:
Stir Together, Add Nuts:

Pour & Bake:

YUM!

Fashion: Bang Trim


vintage stole from my husband- red shirt | aa black skirt | target mocasins all man-made mate... brown shoes | vintage fringe black necklace | etsy.com onyx stones black necklace New Bangs! by sara o at Frenchy's Beauty Parlor, gold accessories
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